Add The California Post on Google The concerning transgressions that Los Angeles Rams star receiver Puka Nacua had this offseason have been widely publicized at this point.
Among these include allegedly biting a woman, several displays of public drunkenness, apparent anti-semitic comments, and a stint in rehab.
While public perception seems to be that Nacua won’t be disciplined for any of these transgressions, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed on Tuesday that Nacua is not out of the woods yet.
“Right now, there are some things going on behind closed doors that we don’t have full access to, that are going to have a significant impact on the season, depending on how these conversations go,” Schefter said.
“And what I’m talking about is the potential discipline of a handful of players that we believe will be handed down—whatever it is—by the start of the regular season,” he added.
Schefter later said, “Cases that I believe are now being reviewed include that of Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who could face discipline for some of the offseason headlined that accompanied him.”
“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 reiterated that the cases he mentioned — which also included Rams offensive tackle, Alaric Jackson, who was arrested on a domestic violence charge in June — are still under review, and suspensions are very much still in the realm of possibility.
The fact that Schefter specifically mentioned that Nacua would miss the Rams’ regular season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, which takes place in Australia on September 10, is especially significant.
Schefter didn’t reveal anything definitive. But he probably wouldn’t have gone so far as to mention Nacua potentially missing this game without at least some information that he can’t say on the record.
Rams fans will need to keep monitoring this story in the coming weeks, as Schefter suggested the NFL might reach a conclusion sooner rather than later.
