The Los Angeles Rams are gearing up for a run at the Super Bowl in 2026. However, the team may not be at full strength to begin the regular season as the Week 1 status of superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua remains up in the air.
Nacua is facing a potential suspension as the NFL reviews several off-field matters, including a civil lawsuit filed in March. While the league has not handed down official discipline to the Rams playmaker at this time, the situation remains fluid ahead of final roster decisions.
Will Rams’ Puka Nacua Be Available In Week 1?
In March, a Los Angeles woman, Madison Atiabi, filed a lawsuit against Nacua. This lawsuit alleges that the Rams star made an antisemitic remark during an interaction on New Year’s Eve. It is also alleged that Nacua bit Atiabi on the shoulder and her friend on the thumb.
When news of this lawsuit broke, Nacua’s lawyer, Levi McCathern, denied the allegation of making an antisemitic remark.
“Puka denies these allegations in the strongest possible terms,” McCathern told The Los Angeles Times back in March. “We will pursue all available legal remedies in response to these false and damaging statements.”
A trial date for the civil matter was recently scheduled. A Los Angeles judge set the firm trial date for March 27, 2028, noting that “there shall not be any continuances without good cause.”
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As for whether Nacua will be suspended, that remains to be seen. The case involving the Rams superstar is one of many the NFL is reviewing before the beginning of the 2026 season. At this time, discipline is a possibility while the league reviews the matter.
“(Nacua) could potentially face discipline for some of the offseason headlines that accompanied him, and some of those incidents last year with another woman, what did and didn’t occur,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on August 11.
“We’ll leave that to the NFL to figure out what did and didn’t happen. But it’s possible that when the 49ers and Rams play in Australia, it’s within the realm of options that Puka doesn’t play in that game.”
For now, it’s a wait-and-see game for the Rams and Nacua. He is not officially suspended, but a suspension remains a distinct possibility before Week 1.
