Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua has entered a rehab facility to address personal behavioral issues, his attorney, Levi McCathern, confirmed Wednesday. The move comes as Nacua faces a high-profile civil lawsuit involving allegations of assault and hate speech stemming from a New Year’s Eve gathering in Los Angeles.
While the timing appears linked to the recent legal firestorm, McCathern noted that the All-Pro had actually started the program before the formal allegations became public.
Puka Nacua Addresses ‘Overall Behavior’ in Rehab
McCathern told The California Post that Nacua was in rehab for a “substantial period of time before any of these allegations broke.”
The decision follows a tumultuous offseason for the 24-year-old, who has been one of the NFL’s most productive young players since being drafted in 2023. The attorney clarified that Nacua’s decision to enter rehab was not directly related to the recent allegations.
The legal trouble centers on a lawsuit filed by Madison Atiabi, who alleges that Nacua made a series of antisemitic remarks during a dinner and later bit her and a friend while in a vehicle. McCathern has categorically denied the hate speech allegations and characterized the physical contact as “horseplay.”
“He was in [rehab] a substantial period of time before any of these allegations broke with Madison,” Levi McCathern told The California Post, “and he’s scheduled to be there for a while longer.” https://t.co/8rJdPnAv8I
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 1, 2026
Footage released by TMZ from that night shows Nacua apparently unconscious in the back of a van while others in the group were partying around him, a video the defense has labeled a “smoking gun” to discredit the claims of a violent assault.
This isn’t the first time Nacua has faced scrutiny regarding antisemitic tropes. He previously issued a public apology in late 2025 after appearing on a livestream with influencer Adin Ross, during which he performed a gesture associated with Jewish stereotypes.
Between the lawsuit and the viral videos of him appearing intoxicated on Super Bowl Sunday, the Rams front office has been forced to navigate a PR minefield for a player who was seemingly on the verge of a historic payday.
Rams Weigh Contract Extension Amid Legal Hurdles
The timing of Nacua’s stint in rehab creates a complicated backdrop for his looming contract negotiations. After leading the NFL with 129 catches and recording 1,715 yards in 2025, the All-Pro became eligible for an extension this spring.
Before the legal drama intensified, he was widely expected to reset the market for wide receivers with a deal potentially worth more than $30 million annually. Now, both the team and the league are in a wait-and-see mode as the legal process unfolds.
Rams head coach Sean McVay has remained publicly supportive of Nacua, telling reporters earlier this week that he “trusts the kid’s heart” but emphasizing that being a professional athlete involves a responsibility that extends beyond Sunday production. The organization is reportedly aware of the situation and is treating it as a learning opportunity for the young star.
But the Rams might be cautious about a record-breaking commitment until there is more clarity regarding the civil suit and any potential discipline from the NFL under the personal conduct policy.
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A formal court hearing for the civil lawsuit is scheduled for April 14. Until then, the focus now remains on Nacua’s recovery and his ability to move past a string of incidents that have threatened to overshadow one of the most prolific starts to a career in NFL history.
With 4,191 receiving yards through his first three seasons, Nacua has already proven his talent, but getting back on the field will depend on how he handles things off it.
