The star-studded Los Angeles Rams look destined for the Super Bowl.
Well, almost.
They have the NFL’s reigning MVP, quarterback Matthew Stafford. They have a fearsome tandem of defensive ends, Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald. They have a pair of stalwart cornerbacks, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
They also have a problem: wide receiver Puka Nacua.
On the field, he’s one of the Rams’ most talented players, a two-time Pro Bowler who last season led the league in receptions. But off the field, he’s become one of the team’s least reliable players.
The player who could elevate or undermine the Rams’ chances of winning the Super Bowl.
Criminal case remains open
Nacua, 25, still faces a possible misdemeanor battery charge forallegedly biting a woman on the shoulder on New Year’s
Eve.
His attorney, Levi McCathern, II, initially said the bite resulted from horseplay.
A color photo of the alleged injury suggested otherwise.
A spokesman for the Los Angeles City Attorney, who is handling the case, said on July 21, "the matter is currently on track to be resolved through pre-filing diversion." That would prevent Nacua from facing prosecution.
But the spokesman, Ivor Pine, said the case stays open “throughout the length of the statute of limitations and can be re-evaluated if there are further developments.” The statute of limitations date is Dec. 31, 2026, about six weeks before the Super Bowl.
Antisemitic comment
On Dec. 16, Nacua used an antisemitic trope during a livestream appearance for which he apologized.
Two weeks later, according to a lawsuit filed by the woman who said Nacua bit her, the Rams wide receiver made an unprovoked statement of "(Expletive) all the Jews’’ during a New Year’s Eve dinner.
Through his attorney, Nacua denied making the statement.
'How he's going to do this season'
On May 28, Nacua discussed going to a rehab program.
"Some of the things I feel like I've learned is it's OK to ask for support and to recognize that the platform that I have being a professional football player,’’ he told reporters. “And trying to use that for the betterment of myself and for those around me, and the people that have supported me.’’
As the Rams’ training camp was getting underway in July, Nacua’s attorney addressed the situation.
Said McCathern, “he's doing absolutely amazing. …and he looks like a new guy, he acts like a new guy, and I couldn't be more excited to see how he's going to do this season.’’
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Puka Nacua remains a risk for Super Bowl-bound Rams
