Is Puka Nacua Playing Tonight? (Injury Update, Prop Betting Impact for Vikings vs. Rams)

The latest injury update for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Peter Dewey | Oct 24, 2024

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. / Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

UPDATE: Puka Nacua has been activated from injured reserve and will return in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings

The #Rams have made it official, activating star WR Puka Nacua from Injured Reserve and he’ll play tonight against the #Vikings. pic.twitter.com/EEVpWjhXqs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 24, 2024

What follows in the initial story about him being listed as questionable, as well as some prop betting advice for tonight's Vikings-Rams matchup.

The Los Angeles Rams activated the practice window for receiver Puka Nacua this week, and he is listed as questionable in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night Football.

Puka Nacua (knee) questionable for Thursday.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) October 23, 2024

The #Rams are inching closer to full health: They have opened the 21-day practice window for WR Puka Nacua (knee). And on Thursday, Cooper Kupp is back.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2024

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the Rams are "optimistic" that Nacua could return in Week 8.

The #Rams get Cooper Kupp back (for the final time?) tonight against the #Vikings — and there is now optimism Puka Nacua potentially could return as well. @gmfb @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/BHcqTBJNyW
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 24, 2024

Nacua has not played since Week 1, so it would be quite the turnaround for him to play in this matchup, as the Rams likely want to give him plenty of time to ramp up from his knee injury.

Asked if there was a chance Puka Nacua could play vs. Vikings yesterday, Rams OC Mike LaFleur said, "To be determined right now. He hasn't done anything full speed in forever, so lots to determine there." https://t.co/5UxQOJuZob
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) October 23, 2024

Los Angeles sits at just 2-4 this season, so it is banking on a second-half run – potentially with Nacua in the lineup – to make the playoffs this season.

Here’s how to bet on this game in the prop market.

Cooper Kupp Prop Bets for Week 8 vs. Vikings

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Receptions: 6.5 (Over -135/Under +105)
Receiving Yards: 67.5 (Over -115/Under -115)
Anytime TD: +110

Even with Nacua listed as questionable in this game and potentially suiting up, veteran Cooper Kupp is the player I'd wager on in the prop market on Thursday.

In Week 1 – the only week he was fully healthy – Kupp was targeted 21 times by Stafford, catching 14 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Now, I’m not saying that Kupp is going to get another 20-target game, but he should be heavily involved in an offense that struggled through the air last week (Stafford threw for just 154 yards).

He has the highest receptions prop of any player in this game, but I think the OVER could be in play – especially if Stafford looks his way as much as he did against Detroit.

I also don’t mind targeting Kupp to find the end zone on Thursday.

Cooper Kupp Prop Bets for Week 8 vs. Vikings

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