Why is Puka Nacua in rehab? Here&x27;s what led Rams WR to seek treatment Jack McKessy, USA TODAY Fri, April 3, 2026 at 12:03 AM UTC 1 Why is Puka Nacua in rehab? Here's what led Rams WR to seek treatment Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is in rehab. What events led him to check in to a luxury treatment center in Malibu, and what comes next for the rising star receiver? In March, a woman filed a civil lawsuit against Nacua alleging he bit her and one of her friends on Dec. 31.
Why is Puka Nacua in rehab? Here's what led Rams WR to seek treatment
Jack McKessy, USA TODAY Fri, April 3, 2026 at 12:03 AM UTC
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Why is Puka Nacua in rehab? Here's what led Rams WR to seek treatment
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is in rehab. What events led him to check in to a luxury treatment center in Malibu, and what comes next for the rising star receiver?
In March, a woman filed a civil lawsuit against Nacua alleging he bit her and one of her friends on Dec. 31. The woman also said that the Rams' receiver made an antisemitic comment during the dinner where she alleges the biting incident took place.
1 / 0See Puka Nacua and his NFL career in photosLos Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) leaves the field following a game against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on Jan. 4, 2026. The third-year wide receiver entered the postseason coming off another superb regular season. Look back at his NFL career.
On April 1, Nacua's attorney Levi McCathern told USA TODAY Sports that Nacua had entered rehab.
USA TODAY Sports has compiled a full timeline of what we know about Nacua's rehab, from what led up to his checking into the treatment center to what comes next.
PUKA NACUA: Rams' Puka Nacua in rehab following alleged biting incident
Timeline of Puka Nacua's offseason: Why Rams WR is in rehabDec. 16, 2025
Nacua appears on an online livestream with streamers Adin Ross and N3on (real name Rangesh Mutama). During the livestream, Ross requests that Nacua celebrate his next touchdown by using an antisemitic trope that the streamer demonstrates. In copying Ross, the receiver mimics the trope.
Dec. 18, 2025
Nacua releases a statement apologizing for using the gesture on the livestream two days prior.
"When I appeared the other day on a social media livestream, it was suggested to me to perform a specific movement as part of my next touchdown celebration," he wrote in an Instagram post. "At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people.
"I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people."
The Instagram post of the apology has since been deleted.
Dec. 29, 2025
The Los Angeles Rams lose a Week 17 game to the Atlanta Falcons 27-24. With five seconds left in the game, Nacua appears to catch a sideline pass near Rams kicker Harrison Mevis' field goal range, but the referees rule it incomplete. A replay assistant challenges the call, and the incompletion call is confirmed.
Nacua finishes the game with 47 yards and a touchdown on five catches.
Dec. 31, 2025
Nacua allegedly makes an antisemitic comment and bites two women on New Year's Eve.
Jan. 4, 2026
Nacua plays in the Rams' final regular season game, a Week 18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The wideout finishes the contest with 10 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.
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Jan. 10-25, 2026
Nacua continues to play throughout Los Angeles' run to the NFC championship game in the playoffs. By the time the Seahawks beat the Rams for an NFC title and spot in the Super Bowl, Nacua has 24 catches for 332 yards and two touchdowns in three playoff games.
Feb. 8, 2026
The night of the Super Bowl, a social media clip surfaces showing Nacua stumbling and dancing in the street. In the video, the receiver tries to get into a black SUV before another person pulls him away. Nacua jumps up and down and dances in front of another car. He's eventually pulled by his shirt over to another black SUV, which he jumps into.
March 25, 2026
A woman files a civil lawsuit accusing Nacua of the biting incident on Dec. 31. In the suit, she alleges he bit her, and caused injury, pain and suffering after a dinner in the Century City area of Los Angeles. She also alleges Nacua bit her female friend that night.
According to the lawsuit, Nacua made an antisemitic comment and was sexually suggestive at the dinner prior to the biting incident.
McCathern, Nacua's attorney, says in a statement to USA TODAY Sports that Nacua denies the accusations and that a sober witness has denied them as well.
"We will be filing a defamation lawsuit and pursuing all available legal remedies in response to these false and damaging statements," McCathern says.
He also says the alleged victim of the biting incident asked for millions of dollars in exchange for not publicizing the allegations.
"Let's be clear about what this case is — and what it is not," McCathern says. "This matter is not sexual in nature, nor does it involve any allegation of domestic violence. If it did, the filings would look very different. They do not. It also doesn't involve any elements of antisemitism."
April 1, 2026
McCathern tells USA TODAY Sports that Nacua has entered rehab.
"Puka is taking responsibility for his well-being and is focused on improving his performance during the offseason," McCathern writes in a statement. "Well before any temporary restraining order was filed ... Puka voluntarily entered a private facility to focus on his health, personal growth, and overall development."
McCathern also notes that the temporary restraining order was denied.
Puka Nacua contract: May 2026
McCathern states that Nacua will finish his program at the recovery facility in time to re-join the Rams for organized team activities (OTAs).
Rams OTAs begin in May. The exact date remains to be announced as of April 2.
The fourth-year wideout is entering the final season of his rookie contract in 2026. With his third NFL season in the books, Nacua is eligible for a contract extension that could be among the highest-value contracts of all NFL receivers.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What Puka Nacua is in rehab for, why Rams WR is there, what's next
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Published: April 2, 2026 at 11:27PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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