Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Puka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before a game against the Carolina Panthers.
Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua has drawn plenty of praise for his play from team brass in recent days, but his off-field activities have led to the two-time Pro Bowler and 2025 First Team All-Pro taking some time away from the spotlight.
Nacua has been visible this offseason, but has taken a noticeable step back.
How his latest incident plays out in the courts and the impact that it will have on his highly anticipated contract extension remain unclear.
Puka Nacua Checked Into Rehab: Report
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
According to Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern, the Rams star has been in a “luxury treatment center in Malibu.”
There is currently no public timetable for Nacua to leave the facility.
“While McCathern said the move was not a direct response to the lawsuit Nacua’s bite accuser, Madison Atiabi, filed against him late last month, the lawyer did say ‘the combination of stories ya’ll have run is certainly a contributing factor,’” the New York Post’s Edward Lewis wrote on April 1.
“He was in there a substantial period of time before any of these allegations broke with Madison … and he’s scheduled to be there for a while longer.”
McCathern expressed pride in Nacua for taking action and released a statement.
Ian Rapoport
A statement from attorney Levi McCathern, who represents #Rams star WR Puka Nacua — who is currently at a recovery center.
McCarthern’s timeline is noteworthy. Images and video of Nacua coaching up his 7-on-7 team, Team Puka, to a victory in OT7 made the rounds on social media over the weekend. That was after the news of the lawsuit first emerged publicly.
The post included photos of Nacua coming and going from the facility “on two separate occasions” this month.
He has even had at least one visitor.
The accused biting is the second alcohol-related incident for which Nacua has drawn attention since the Rams’ season ended. He was also spotted stumbling following the Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.
Rams Supporting Puka Nacua, Mum on Rehab Stay
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams answers questions from the media following practice at Rams’ Organized Team Activities.
The Rams have been effusive in their praise for what Nacua brings to the football field. General manager Les Snead noted he was underdrafted. However, Rams head coach Sean McVay has also been clear that they expect better of their star playmaker.
“The play on the field is amazing. And then, with what the play has dictated and determined, is a responsibility in terms of representing all things, not exclusive to just that [on-field actions]. He knows that those are the expectations, and we’re hopeful that that’ll be something that this will be an opportunity for him to learn and grow,” McVay told reporters on March 30.
“We are hopeful that he’s a Ram for a really long time, but he understands what the responsibility is, not exclusive to just the production.”
Notably, there has been no mention of Nacua’s rehab stay.
Rams Face Significant Decision
Both Snead and Rams COO Tony Pastoors said everything factors into contract decisions. Snead, though, echoed McVay in that the Rams want Nacua with the organization for a long time. The question has become how wise the Rams would be to enrich Nacua to the expected extent.
His off-field activities have frequently landed him in the spotlight for negativity.
The Rams were expected to wait until the summer before making a decision on an extension for Nacua. This would seem to be another factor behind their logic.