When the Los Angeles Rams face off against the New York Giants on “Monday Night Football,” the offense is going to need everyone to step up, including wide receiver Davante Adams, quarterback Matthew Stafford and tight end Colby Parkinson.
That’s because the Rams might not have star receiver Puka Nacua, who is questionable to play and appears to be trending in the wrong direction ahead of kickoff.
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So, how would Nacua’s absence impact our start-or-sit decisions with Adams, Stafford and Parkinson? Find out now as we navigate what to do with your fantasy football lineup.
MORE: Latest injury updates on Puka Nacua for Week 2
NFL: New Orleans Saints-Los Angeles Rams Joint Practice
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) catches the ball against the New Orleans Saints during a joint practice at Rams Practice Facility. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Week 1 was a disaster for Adams, who posted just three catches for 26 yards. To give you an idea of just how bad it was for Los Angeles, that was the second-most receiving yards on the team.
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However, one bad week is not enough to erase the fact that Adams was a top-10 receiver in fantasy football last season on the strength of being a scoring machine, so we still have faith.
We also maintain confidence because there’s nothing scary about a matchup with a Giants secondary that had a middle-of-the-road showing last week when it comes to giving up fantasy points to wideouts.
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Another important thing to point out is that it looks like Nacua might not play, in which case Adams’ stock soars.
Even if Nacua is in the lineup, we’re still starting Adams in a game we expect will feature a bounce-back performance from the Rams offense.
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Verdict: Start
NFL: NFL Melbourne Game -Los Angeles Rams Practice
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball during practice at Marvel Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Stafford was putrid last week, but we’re throwing that game out because of the Australia factor. If he turns in another stinker this week, then we’ll reevaluate.
The biggest concern with the Giants is their pass-rush—and more specifically, their edge rushers.
But if the Rams’ offensive line can give Stafford time, he should be able to pick apart a secondary that isn’t intimidating.
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Downgrade Stafford if Nacua doesn’t play, but we’d still be confident in this matchup against New York.
Verdict: Start
NFL: NFC Championship Game-Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson (84) runs against Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) during the second half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
If you’re going to start a Rams tight end, Parkinson is the one to roll with after he played the most snaps out of the four the team deployed last week.
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Parkinson was actually a fairly reliable tight end in the second half of last season. From Week 12 on, he ranked as TE4 overall, so there’s upside with him.
That said, he’s an incredibly shaky starting option when he’s behind Nacua and Adams in the pecking order. We saw that in Week 1, as Parkinson recorded just one catch for six yards.
However, if Nacua sits on Monday night, we’d be comfortable giving Parkinson a look in lineups.
Verdict: Start if Nacua sits, sit if Nacua plays
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Davante Adams, Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams, Colby Parkinson, Puka Nacua, New York Giants, fantasy football lineup
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