Week 4 Fantasy Football News: Puka Nacua, Braelon Allen, J.J. McCarthy & Start/Sit Advice (Ep. 2233)

The New England Patriots are calling it a right shoulder injury, but Drake Maye’s struggles have been the dominant story of their 0-3 start, and now there’s a medical explanation to go with the tape. On this episode of the FantasyPros Tailgate, Andrew Erickson runs through the top five storylines heading into Week 4, starting with breaking news that Puka Nacua is expected to play against the Eagles. The episode covers shifting backfields in Miami and New York, a critical secondary injury in Carolina that sets up a potential Jameson Williams explosion, the Chicago Bears’ quarterback dilemma, and the fallout from the J.J. McCarthy trade to the Giants.

Puka Nacua Returns, But the Injury Cloud Lingers

Adam Schefter reported that Rams head coach Sean McVay expects Puka Nacua to play in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles. For fantasy managers who have held him through a groin/hip/sports hernia issue that has been reported inconsistently, this is the green light they needed. Erickson acknowledges the risk of a pitch count but is unequivocal: “You're gonna fire this guy up no matter what.” He draws a parallel to a Thursday night game in Nacua’s rookie year when he was questionable and then “absolutely smashed,” as well as Brock Bowers’ nuclear return in Week 3. The caveat remains that the injury could require surgery down the line, but for Week 4, Nacua is a start.