The Los Angeles Rams have been dealt a major blow after superstar Puka Nacua left practice under mysterious circumstances on Tuesday afternoon.
Just days ahead of their preseason game against the Chiefs, The Athletic confirmed that Nacua had left practice early with trainer Reggie Scott.
Head coach Sean McVay reportedly had no update on the injury that led to Nacua leaving, with the team ‘unsure’ over what exactly happened to the wide receiver.
The 25-year-old, who had a turbulent offseason that saw him check into rehab, is the No 1 receiver for the Rams, who are heavily tipped to win the Super Bowl.
The update comes after Nacua was accused of biting a woman on the shoulder and making an ‘unprovoked’ antisemitic statement during a drunken encounter on New Year’s Eve.
Earlier on Tuesday, it was revealed by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the Rams star could face a potential suspension over the matter.
Rams have been dealt a major blow after Puka Nacua left practice with a mysterious injury
Head coach Sean McVay reportedly had no update on the injury that led to Nacua leaving
‘Right now, there are some things going on behind closed doors that we don’t have full access to, that are going to have a significant impact on the season, depending on how these conversations go,’ Schefter said.
‘And what I’m talking about is the potential discipline of a handful of players that we believe will be handed down – whatever it is – by the start of the regular season.
‘Cases that I believe are now being reviewed include that of Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who could face discipline for some of the offseason headlined that accompanied him.’
‘It’s possible that when the Niners and Rams play in Australia, it’s within the realm of options that Puka doesn’t play in that game.’
Back in May, Nacua admitted he underwent an important period of self-reflection after being accused of biting a woman and spending time in rehab.
While he declined to going into specific details about the lawsuit or the night of the alleged incident, Nacua said his time in the facility provided ‘a moment for me to learn from some of the situations I was putting myself in and then also having just an awareness of how I’m conducting myself in and out of this football field.’
He also revealed that he has worked with a Rams therapist and attended unspecified weekly meetings in recent months while trying to improve the structure of his day-to-day life.
‘Little did I know that even just writing in a journal, as simple as that, and finding ways to express some of the things I have near and dear to my heart… it’s been a great improvement in my life,’ Nacua said.
A woman, who attached this photo of the bite mark allegedly left by Nacua in court documents, accused the NFL receiver of biting her during a drunken New Year’s Eve encounter
‘I’ve been really grateful for the support from the organization, especially my teammates,’ he continued. ‘People reaching out at different times of the offseason, just checking in.
‘Some of the things I feel like I’ve learned is it’s OK to ask for support and then to recognize the platform that I have and being a professional football player and trying to use that for the betterment of myself and for those around me.’
Nacua entered the rehab facility early in the offseason, apparently before he was sued in March by the plaintiff, who also claims he bit her friend’s thumb during a night of partying.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection also issued a public apology last December after he performed a gesture that plays upon antisemitic tropes while appearing on an internet livestream, before he made sharply critical comments against NFL officials on social media.
