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NFL fans love a redemption arc. A guy stumbles, says and does the right things, works hard and earns his way back into good graces. It is one of the oldest stories in sports and usually a pretty easy one to root for. But not every story fits that mold. Not every mistake gets a pass just because the player involved happens to be really good at catching a football. That is the spot Puka Nacua finds himself in right now, and it is worth digging into why. MORE: Do the Cleveland Browns even want Shedeur Sanders to be the starter? The lawsuit and gesture that put Nacua’s status in question Madison Atiabi sued Nacua in March. She alleges the Rams wideout made an antisemitic remark during a New Year’s Eve outing. According to the lawsuit, Atiabi said she “immediately felt uncomfortable and emotionally distressed” because of her Jewish faith. The suit also claims Nacua “forcibly” bit her on the shoulder, “leaving a circular imprint of his teeth on her body,” and that he bit her friend’s thumb hard enough to make her scream in pain. The filing cites gender violence, assault and battery, and negligence. Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern, has pushed back hard. He said Nacua’s legal team has characterized the claims as false. He added any physical interaction was harmless “horseplay,” not assault. A Los Angeles County judge set the civil trial date for March 2028. So, the legal process will not resolve this anytime soon. A pattern to Nacua’s behavior This was not an isolated incident. In December 2025, Nacua issued a public apology after performing a hand gesture on a livestream with streamer Adin Ross. Critics widely condemned the gesture for invoking an antisemitic stereotype. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the NFL is actively reviewing Nacua’s case. He said on his podcast, “Cases that I believe are now being reviewed include that of the Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. Who could potentially face discipline for some of the offseason headlines that accompanied him. Some of those incidents last year with another woman.” Schefter added that a Week 1 suspension is “within the realm of options.” The NFL handed out a round of suspensions in August that did not include Nacua. NFL’s past history backs up taking action The NFL’s personal conduct policy does not require a criminal conviction, or even criminal charges, before the league can suspend a player. The policy allows the league to discipline players when it finds credible evidence of a violation, regardless of the court’s decision. History backs this up. Antonio Brown received an eight-game suspension in 2020. A woman accused him of sexual assault in a lawsuit, although prosecutors never filed criminal charges in the case. Just last week, Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. was suspended eight games. He entered a diversion program tied to a February domestic violence incident. This shows the league is still willing to act on off-field conduct without a trial verdict. MORE: NFC power rankings for all 16 teams for the 2026 preseason Week 1 suspension for Nacua would be a light punishment Nacua’s situation includes a biting allegation serious enough to leave marks. Plus, a documented antisemitic incident just months earlier that he already apologized for. Two separate incidents involving the same subject matter within one calendar year are not honest mistakes. Nacua’s actions form a pattern of behavior. The league’s own policy treats a pattern as an aggravating factor that can lengthen a suspension rather than shorten it. The Rams have a lot riding on Nacua this season. The 25-year-old has a pending contract extension that would make him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league. None of that changes what the personal conduct policy is supposed to do. If the NFL wants its rules to mean anything, a star’s production cannot be the reason a case gets slow-walked. What it does next will say a lot about whether the rules apply the same way to everyone. MORE: NFL offensive line rankings ahead of the 2026 season — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —