The NFL could reportedly still discipline Puka Nacua before starting the 2026 season.
ESPN's Adam Schefter revealed on his latest podcast that the league could suspend Nacua for Week 1's game against the San Francisco 49ers. The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver was sued for alleged assault and battery in March by a woman who accused him of biting her on the shoulder and making an antisemitic comment.
"It's possible that when the Niners and Rams play in Australia, it's within the realm of options that Puka doesn't play in that game," Schefter said.
Nacua's offseason could affect Week 1 status
According to the lawsuit, a woman claimed Nacua left an imprint of his teeth on her shoulder when biting her on New Year's Eve. The accuser claimed that he also bit her friend's thumb.
The antisemism allegations followed an earlier incident in which Nacua made a gesture that "perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people" on a livestream in December. Nacua apologized, and the NFL and Rams publicly condemned his actions.
Although he didn't offer any updates on the legal situation, Nacua addressed his offseason to reporters two weeks ago.
"There's definitely trying to take accountability for the things that I know that I can continue to change and can grow in ways that I know that have helped me feel as best as I can when I step out here on the football field and outside of the football field," Nacua said.
Nacua looked to avoid any more off-field distractions and focus on football ahead of his fourth season. The former fifth-round pick collected a league-high 129 receptions for 1,715 yards, second in the NFL to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, in 2025.
"I think the game of football is a safe place for me, and I enjoy that," Nacua said. "There have been things outside of my control that I think have impacted the way I've been able to kind of focus and enjoy this game of football. But coming out here and seeing that jersey No. 12 hung up in my locker is something that I don't take for granted."
