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Los Angeles Rams all-pro wide receiver Puka Nacua has entered a rehab facility after some recent off-field issues.
Nacua was recently charged with assault and battery by a woman who claims he bit her on the shoulder on New Year’s Eve and made a antisemitic remark.
Neither Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern, nor the Rams immediately responded to an email for confirmation.
However, the New York Post quoted McCathern as saying, “He was in there for a significant amount of time before any of these allegations broke with Madison, and he’s slated to be in there for a while.”
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Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after a catch in the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
“The combination of stories you want to run is certainly a contributing factor,” the attorney said, adding that Nacua wants to “improve his overall behavior in every aspect of his life that he can.”
Plaintiff Madison Atiabi says Nacua bit her and left teeth on her shoulder when they were in a van together later that night, and she claims Nacua also bit her friend’s thumb.
McCathern strongly denied that Nacua made anti-Semitic remarks, but described the bites as “horseplay”.
Atiabi and her lawyer, Joseph Kar, claim Nacua made an anti-Semitic rant that left her emotionally distressed when they were together in Century City.
Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams reacts during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at SoFi Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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McCathern said “the whole allegation is nothing more than an attempted shakedown” and that the bite “left nothing but a temporary mark,” according to TMZ.
Nacua apologized for performing an “anti-Semitic” act on a YouTube stream last year. Nakua discussed touchdown celebrations on YouTuber Adin Ross’ stream, and in the video, Ross instructed Nakua to spike the ball, bend and then rub his hands together. Ross, who is Jewish, has referred to the movement as his own “dance” or “feeling.”
However, many believed that the celebration perpetuated a harmful anti-Jewish stereotype. Nacua received overwhelming backlash and issued an apology.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) runs the ball against Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) in the first half at SoFi Stadium. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
Nacua caught 129 passes for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, all career highs.
