Puka Nacua gets candid about possible NFL punishment: I understand the consequences
Puka Nacua is grateful each time he’s able to get his feet back on the grass of a football field.But whether the NFL allows him to keep them there is another question entirely.On the eve of the Rams preparing to fly halfway around the world for Thursday’s season opener against the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, Nacua addressed the uncertainty surrounding a potential league suspension stemming from his turbulent offseason.Nacua was asked directly whether he has any anxiety about the possibility of being suspended by the league, and while he didn’t exactly answer the question, he didn’t run from it, either.“I think, yeah, there’s definitely an emotion with some of the things,” Nacua said after practice Monday.
“I’m just trying to handle that in the ways that I can and what’s in my control.“But also having a realistic understanding of the consequences of some of the things that I put myself in this offseason.”Nacua can’t control what the NFL ultimately decides.But he can control how he handles the uncertainty, and by sharing his understanding of the realistic possibilities of the consequences of his actions, he sounds like someone who understands that whatever comes next may have to be accepted.For now, however, there has been no indication that a suspension is imminent, and he may avoid one entirely.Rams coach Sean McVay said Sunday he had not heard that Nacua or offensive lineman Alaric Jackson would be suspended before the opener.
Nacua also has not been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, which can be used to remove players from practices and games while the league reviews potential violations of its personal conduct policy.Unlike other players who were placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, Nacua has had no formal criminal charges filed against him.The Los Angeles City Attorney’s office reviewed potential misdemeanor battery claims, but instead of filing formal charges, the case was routed into a pre-filing diversion pro...