Articles by Benedetto Vitale

Technology

Rams get thrilling Puka Nacua injury update Matthew Stafford will love

The Los Angeles Rams aim to advance to a 6-2 record in Week 9 when they take on the New Orleans Saints. With the team coming off a bye, it sounds like the offense is going to have Puka Nacua back in the lineup, which is something quarterback Matthew Stafford might be jumping with joy about. Reports indicate that Nacua, who is 24 years old, is not on the Rams’ injury report and is considered available to play against the Saints, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. That means the Rams’ offense should be in full swing in Week 9. “Rams WR Puka Nacua is officially off the injury report and good to go Sunday vs. New Orleans.” The record holder for most receptions and receiving yards in a single season by a rookie initially suffered an ankle injury in Week 6 when the Rams beat the Baltimore Ravens 17-3. He was forced to miss the 35-7 Week 7 stomping of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The bye being in Week 8 certainly gave Puka Nacua the time he needed to recover from the ankle injury. When healthy, Nacua is easily one of the most consistent wide receivers in the league. Although he has missed one game, the star wideout still leads the league in targets with 65. So far this season, Puka Nacua has recorded 54 receptions for 616 yards and three total touchdowns (two receiving. Despite Nacua’s absence, Stafford has still been playing at a high level this season. He’s been feeding the ball to teammate Davante Adams and has played a key role in leading Los Angeles to a 5-2 record. Through seven games played, Stafford has accumulated 1,866 passing yards and 17 touchdowns (league-high) while completing 66.1% of his pass attempts. Look for Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua to connect often against the Saints on Sunday. However, it could be a bit of a tough battle, as New Orleans does have the ninth-ranked pass defense in the league, despite being 1-7 on the season entering Week 9.

Technology

Saints’ Alvin Kamara Week 9 status updated as trade deadline nears

The New Orleans Saints are set to take on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9 as the team aims to earn just its second win of the season. With the NFL trade deadline right around the corner, running back Alvin Kamara gets an injury update for Sunday’s contest. Reports indicate that Kamara, who is dealing with an ankle injury, is deemed questionable for the game against the Rams, according to Jeff Nowak of Audacy Sports and WWL Radio. However, it sounds like the 30-year-old running back is trending in the right direction. Nowak also shares injury updates for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed and cornerback Alontae Taylor. “Alvin Kamara (ankle), Rashid Shaheed (hip), and Alontae Taylor (shoulder) will all be listed as questionable, but Kellen Moore said all three are trending positively.” The nine-year pro has not missed a single contest yet this season despite dealing with an ankle injury for several weeks now. It’s been a rough go for Kamara and the Saints, as the offense has largely struggled throughout the 2025-26 campaign. Through eight games played, Alvin Kamara has recorded 363 rushing yards, 147 receiving yards, and just one touchdown. His rushing yards per game (45.4) and receiving yards per game (18.4) are both the lowest of his career. New Orleans will likely continue monitoring the five-time Pro Bowler in the coming days before making a final decision on his playing status in Week 9. With Alvin Kamara’s name floating around the rumor mill as a potential trade candidate before the Nov. 4 deadline, the Saints may want him to be as healthy as possible to remain valuable in the trade market. But that’s assuming teams are calling for Kamara’s availability.

Technology

Dolphins rumors: How Tua Tagovailoa’s contract could save Mike McDaniel’s job

The Miami Dolphins announced on Friday that they are parting ways with Chris Grier as general manager. It’s a move that has sparked speculation about Mike McDaniel’s job security as head coach. However, a rumor regarding Tua Tagovailoa’s contract could keep McDaniel in Miami for at least one more season. During a guest appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Insider Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network revealed how Tagovailoa’s four-year $212.4 million contract that pays him over $50 million fully guaranteed in the 2026 season, could make the head coaching job undesirable for possible future candidates. Essentially, Pelissero explains how, because of that contract, the Dolphins could run with McDaniel and Tagovailoa for at least one more season before potentially moving on. “Take into account the broader picture of where we are right now with the Dolphins. They’re locked in with Tua Tagovailoa for over $50 million fully guaranteed in 2026,” said Pelissero. “If you were to fire Mike McDaniel… I would just say Tua, at, or over $50 million fully guaranteed might not be an extremely attractive option to head coaching candidates who are coming in, especially given his medical history, and the up-and-down state of his play through the course of 2025… “There is certainly a scenario in my mind where you take a vision to what’s going on with the bigger football operation, bring in a person, or multiple people, to try and get things right. Keep Mike McDaniel for one more run with Tua… Give him one more shot with a lot of different moves in terms of personnel, a new GM, maybe a head of football operations, calling the shots, and then you make the decisions at the end of 2026.” 💻 @TomPelissero Miami parted ways with GM Chris Grier on Friday and speculation is rampant about the futures of Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa — could they really be back in 2026?#NFL #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/0JMfaKTyum — Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) October 31, 2025 With the Dolphins 2-7 on the season after suffering an ugly 28-6 Week 9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on “Thursday Night Football,” it appears the team’s trend of being one of the worst teams in the league this season is standing true. Tagovailoa hasn’t had the most successful year, as he’s thrown for 1,779 yards and 15 touchdowns while leading the league with 11 interceptions. His 67.9% completion percentage is well below the 72.9% he threw in the 2024-25 campaign, which he led the league in that category. Miami will move on to Week 10, where the club will face off against the Buffalo Bills. It’ll be another chance for Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins to right the ship as we enter the second half of the regular season.