Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua had a pretty turbulent offseason after being hit with a civil lawsuit alleging he bit a woman and made antisemitic remarks at a New Year’s Eve gathering. He eventually entered a rehabilitation facility in April and spent most of training camp with his Week 1 status in doubt.
The NFL had been conducting its own review of his conduct while the league finalized its exempt list decisions ahead of the regular season. It now seems Nacua will be avoiding the commissioner’s exempt list. Three players landed on the list Sunday, but Nacua was not among them.
Rams’ Puka Nacua Avoids Commissioner’s Exempt List to Begin the Season
Per The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero, Nacua is now expected to avoid the commissioner’s exempt list to begin the 2026 season.
“No other players are expected to land on the commissioner’s exempt list today, per sources. All other cases remain under review. But three will start the season on paid leave: Packers RB Josh Jacobs, Broncos OLB Jonathan Cooper and new Seahawks CB Terrion Arnold,” Pelissero wrote on X.
Nacua’s offseason troubles began in December 2025 when he appeared on streamer Adin Ross’s Kick channel and, at Ross’s suggestion, performed a hand-rubbing gesture with allegedly antisemitic connotations while discussing possible touchdown celebrations. He agreed on the stream to perform the gesture during the Rams’ Thursday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks.
He apologized before kickoff, saying he had “no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people.” The NFL released a statement condemning the behavior but did not announce discipline at the time.
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Two weeks later on New Year’s Eve, a separate and more serious situation saw a civil lawsuit in LA County Superior Court on Mar. 25, alleging that during a gathering in Century City on Dec. 31, Nacua became intoxicated and made an antisemitic remark in front of the group. She further alleged that later in the night, Nacua bit her on the shoulder and bit her friend’s thumb.
Sunday’s news that Nacua would not be placed on the exempt list generated a significant volume of reaction online. A portion of fans argued that Nacua had not been charged with a crime and that placing him on the exempt list before any legal finding would have been premature and unfair.
“There’s actual people who thought Roger Goodell would take Puka Nacua off the field for the NFL’s first Australia game?” asked one user.
There’s actual people who thought Roger Goodell would take Puka Nacua off the field for the NFL’s first Australia game? https://t.co/eEkDSvVQ8z
— Carl Regolino (@Carl_Regolino) August 30, 2026
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Some fans drew comparisons to Alaric Jackson, the Rams’ starting left tackle, who was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic battery in June and whose case has since been assigned to pre-filing diversion, making his situation with the league considered more precarious than Nacua’s.
“I’d put it at 95% Puka isn’t suspended this year. Jackson is probably closer to 50-50,” wrote one fan.
“Starting to think this might not be resolved until next offseason since both incidents are still legally ongoing,” opined another user.
A few fans defended Nacua’s situation, pointing out that his case is a civil matter with no criminal charges filed.
“Puka’s case is a civil case; it shouldn’t have any kind of suspension. Jackson, on the other hand… Idk. Up in the air,” one fan commented.
No shit
Pukas case is a civil case it shouldn’t have any kind of suspension
Jackson on the other hand… Idk. Up in the air.— Balzi 🐟🔌🐰 | RE:ZERO SZN (@Balzzzi) August 30, 2026
Others were less charitable, questioning whether the league was moving slowly out of concern for one of its marquee franchises.
“What’s the holdup, NFL? Can’t jeopardize any part of the Rams season?” asked one user.
“Yeah, sure, under review 👍🏾 Nobody believes they will put Puka on there, for the darling Rams? C’mon now,” opined another user.
“We don’t want our darlings to start the season on the wrong foot, do we NFL? Or do we not want to disappoint Australia? Or all the above?” quipped another fan.
We don’t want our darlings to start the season on the wrong foot, do we NFL. Or do we not want to disappoint Australia?
Or all the above? https://t.co/zy0Xf5mAtz
— Patrick Holloway (@patoholloway) August 30, 2026
Some fans straight-up accused the league of favoring the Rams. “Of course the rams getting babied by the NFL,” wrote one fan.
“NFL protecting their golden boy Rams,” another user commented.
Avoiding the commissioner’s exempt list is not the same as avoiding discipline. The NFL’s personal conduct policy does not require a criminal conviction or even a formal charge before the league can act.
If the diversion program moves forward on the criminal side, that alone could be enough for the league to impose a suspension at a later date, potentially mid-season.
According to PFN’s WR Impact Metric, Nacua posted an impact score of 96.3 last season, ranking first among all wide receivers and sixth all-time, hauling in 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns across 16 games.
Nacua had picked up a minor groin injury early in training camp after leaving practice with a trainer in early August. He missed several days of practice, but there was no indication his Week 1 status was ever in serious doubt.
The Rams open their season against the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, on Sep. 10.
