How Likely Is a Suspension for Rams WR Puka Nacua?

As the Los Angeles Rams get closer to Week 1, there is a lot of anticipation around whether wide receiver Puka Nacua will get suspended by the NFL. While the NFL announced a handful of suspensions last week, Nacua was not among those included. However, that doesn’t mean that a suspension isn’t in the realm of possibility.

If the Rams were to be without Nacua, it would obviously be a huge detriment to the offense. A serious argument could be made that Nacua should have won the Offensive Player of the Year last season. He’s one of the best wide receivers in the NFL

Nacua has been under investigation by the NFL for actions that occurred on New Year’s Eve. The Rams wide receiver is currently part of a civil case in which he is alleged to have bitten a woman on the shoulder while intoxicated and then made an unprovoked antisemitic remark.

Earlier this week, Nacua’s trial for the civil case was set for March 2028. While the NFL typically allows for the legal process to play out before making a decision, it will likely rely on its own investigation to make a decision.

Why Nacua’s Case Is Complicated

The fact that Nacua’s trial has been pushed to 2028 makes his case anything but straightforward. While Nacua has admitted to the bite, he says it was horseplay. The context around the bite is the question, which currently makes it a “he said, she said” situation.

Last week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that it’s possible Nacua doesn’t play Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.

“Cases I believe are now being reviewed include that of the Rams’ wide receiver Puka Nacua,” said Schefter. “It's possible when the Niners and Rams play in Australia, it’s within the realm of options that Puka doesn’t play in that game.”

It really all comes down to what the NFL finds in its investigation. The NFL could interview witnesses of the incident to come to a conclusion. Even still, a lot of the information around the case is unverified. Yes, Nacua has admitted to the bite, and there is a photo.

However, Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathren, has questioned the authenticity of the photo via the LA Times. “The marks look more like her back pressed against his face than an actual bite,” said McCathren.

During the incident, the woman alleged that Nacua yelled a provocative antisemitic remark. That is also unverified, as Nacua’s lawyer claims to have multiple witnesses who can vouch that he did not make the remark.

What Recent NFL Cases Could Tell Us

Earlier this year, the NFL closed its investigation into allegations made in a civil case involving Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice. The lawsuit alleged a pattern of physical violence, and Rice’s former girlfriend posted photos of the bruises. The NFL announced that there was insufficient evidence that Rice broke the Personal Conduct Policy after the woman signed an affidavit stating that the couple had a verbal argument, but he did not punch her.

Just because the NFL dismissed Rice’s case doesn’t mean they’ll do the same with Nacua. They are two different cases. However, both involve allegations made through civil lawsuits rather than criminal charges. That leaves the NFL to determine whether there is enough evidence to suspend Nacua through its own investigation. Any discipline imposed on Nacua would therefore come from the NFL based on its own findings.

It’s also worth looking at Jameis Winston’s 2018 incident, in which he inappropriately touched an Uber driver and made an unwanted sexual advance. The NFL investigation at the time found the driver’s account of the incident consistent and credible. Winston was suspended for three games.

Will the NFL Suspend Puka Nacua?

Nacua getting suspended all comes down to what the NFL finds in its own investigation and whether it believes the context around the bite is credible. The NFL also doesn't have to make a decision before Week 1. If Nacua is suspended, the NFL could also look at the Rams wide receiver checking himself into rehab as a mitigating factor. That doesn’t mean that Nacua wouldn’t get suspended at all. However, his suspension could potentially be reduced from three games to two, or from two games to one, especially considering it would also be his first offense..

When it comes to the likelihood of Nacua getting suspended, it truly feels like a coin flip. The case is far from straightforward and it’s impossible to know what the NFL has found in its own investigation. Based solely on the information that is publicly available, it would be difficult to say that a suspension is more likely than not. Until that decision comes, the Rams will have to prepare for Week 1 knowing there remains at least a possibility that one of their best offensive players won’t be available.

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