Tag: Nacua

Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) reacts after a catch against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Rams WR Puka Nacua joins team for workouts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua was with the team for the start of the offseason program on Monday.

Nacua, who turns 25 in May, is entering the final year of his rookie contract and was considered a candidate for a possible holdout this offseason.

Nacua is an All-Pro who caught a league-high 129 passes for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns across 16 games for the Rams in 2025.

But he also has made headlines for less positive reasons.

Nacua had to apologize for a different antisemitic incident that took place earlier in December on a livestream with influencer Adin Ross. Ross persuaded Nacua into making a gesture connected to Jewish stereotypes while practicing a touchdown celebration on the stream.

He’s the subject of a civil lawsuit in which Madison Atiabi accused him of biting her on the shoulder and her friend on the thumb at a New Year’s Eve celebration in Los Angeles. He also allegedly said “f– all the Jews” during dinner that night, Atiabi alleges, prompting her to file the suit for financial compensation. Atiabi, who is Jewish, withdrew her petition for a restraining order.

–Field Level Media

Rams WR Puka Nacua rips refs in since-deleted tweet

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua is creating headlines both on and off the field this week.

On the field, Nacua had 12 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams’ 38-37 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.

That performance came one day after he performed a potential touchdown celebration that included an antisemitic undertone and criticized NFL officiating during a livestream.

On Thursday afternoon, Nacua apologized for his actions in relation to the controversial celebration, saying that he does not stand “for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people.”

As for the NFL officiating, well, he didn’t leave that alone after Thursday’s game. In fact, he added fuel to the fire that could land him a fine from the league.

“Can you say I was wrong,” Nacua posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Appreciate you stripes for your contribution. lol.”

Nacua, 24, has since deleted the tweet, one day after he said on the livestream that “the refs are the worst.”

“These guys want to be … these guys are lawyers. They want to be on TV, too,” Nacua added. “You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo, you guys just saw me on ‘Sunday Night Football.’ That wasn’t P.I., but I called it.’”

NFL players and coaches can be fined for publicly criticizing referees and officials.

As for the tweet itself, Nacua dismissed it as being sent in “a moment of frustration after a tough, intense game like that.”

Thursday’s game featured the reversal of what initially was deemed to be an incompletion on a potential game-tying two-point conversion. Replay review deemed it to be a backward pass that led to a fumble that was recovered in the end zone by Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet.

Nacua has an NFL-high 114 catches for 1,592 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games this season.

–Field Level Media

Puka Nacua’s brother arrested, accused of taking Lakers rookie’s SUV

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A brother of Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua was one of two men arrested over the weekend for allegedly stealing a vehicle that reportedly belonged to Los Angeles Lakers rookie forward Adou Thiero.

Samson Nacua and Trey Rose, both 27, were arrested Saturday afternoon by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for taking a vehicle without the owner’s permission.

Per a statement to NBC4 Los Angeles, deputies were able to track the SUV to the 8400 block of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Calif. The suspects had valeted the car and entered a hotel.

Samson Nacua spent time in training camp with both the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 and New Orleans Saints in 2024 but has yet to appear in an NFL game. He was suspended for one game by the UFL in April for slapping a fan during an altercation.

Samson Nacua played college football at Utah (2017-20) and BYU (2021), catching 103 passes for 1,344 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Thiero, 21, was part of the blockbuster seven-team trade on July 6 that sent star forward Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.

A second-round draft pick of the Brooklyn Nets this past June, Thiero is averaging 1.1 points and 5.8 minutes in nine games this season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) is tackled by. New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Rams WR Puka Nacua (ribs) exits vs. Saints but not badly hurt

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams star receiver Puka Nacua exited Sunday’s victory over the New Orleans Saints due to a rib injury but coach Sean McVay said it wasn’t a serious ailment.

“I think he’s going to be good. He got his ribs (hurt),” McVay said after the 34-10 victory. “He could have come back in the game, but we kind of had command. Felt like it was the smart thing.”

Nacua was injured in the third quarter on a 3-yard rushing play in which he was tackled by Saints linebacker Demario Davis with under six minutes remaining. He went to the locker room to be examined and was initially listed as questionable to return with a chest injury. He returned to the field early in the fourth quarter.

Nacua had seven receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown before exiting.

Nacua missed Los Angeles’ previous game due to an ankle injury. The Rams had a bye last week.

Overall, Nacua has 61 receptions for 711 yards and three scoring receptions in seven games this season. The 24-year-old had 105 and 79 receptions, respectively, in his first two NFL campaigns.

The Rams visit the NFC West-rival San Francisco 49ers next Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) is carted off the field after being injured against the Detroit Lions in the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Rams open 21-day practice window for star WR Puka Nacua

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Rams opened the 21-day practice window for receiver Puka Nacua on Tuesday.

The transaction means that the Rams have 21 days to determine whether or not to activate Nacua (knee) off injured reserve.

Nacua was bothered by the knee during training camp and then sprained his PCL during the season-opening contest against the Detroit Lions. He had four receptions for 35 yards in the 26-20 road loss.

Last season, Nacua set NFL rookie records of 105 receptions and 1,486 yards in 17 games. He also caught six touchdown passes while earning Pro Bowl honors.

Los Angeles is hoping to have wideout Cooper Kupp (ankle) back for Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. Kupp was injured in Week 2.

Kupp has been injury prone over the last three seasons since his mammoth 2021 campaign in which he won the receiver Triple Crown by leading the NFL with 145 catches for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also was Super Bowl MVP that season when the Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Rams WR Cooper Kupp questionable for Week 7; Nacua next week?

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cooper Kupp is questionable to play on Sunday but Rams head coach Sean McVay is optimistic the No. 1 receiver is ready to roll when Los Angeles hosts the Las Vegas Raiders.

Kupp has been out with a high left ankle sprain, an injury that hit Week 2 at the Arizona Cardinals. He caught 14 passes Week 1 against the Lions.

Two weeks ago, McVay said this week’s matchup against the Raiders was “an ideal target” for Kupp’s return. The Rams are returning from their bye week.

“(The Raiders game) was always an optimistic target date just based on a few weeks back that we had set,” McVay said. “But by no means is that guaranteed.”

The Rams are not ready to bring Puka Nacua back from knee surgery, but the wide receiver is expected to be back soon. He had four catches for 35 yards before exiting the Sunday night opener at Detroit on Sept. 8. He was placed on injured reserve with a sprained PCL. The Rams have a short week of preparation after playing the Raiders with the currently undefeated Minnesota Vikings (5-0) up next on Thursday night.

Kupp, 31, has 18 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown in two games this season. He has amassed 585 catches for 7,213 yards and 52 scores over his eight-year career. The Rams selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Eastern Washington.

His best season came in 2021, when he led the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), receiving touchdowns (16) and receiving yards per game (114.5) en route to his only Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors to date. He caught the game-winning touchdown in that year’s Super Bowl, for which he was named MVP.

–Field Level Media

Jun 14, 2023; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay talks with receiver Puka Nacua (17) during minicamp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rams WR Puka Nacua returns to practice, likely for Week 1

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua participated in position drills on Monday, his first practice with the team in three weeks.

Nacua was deemed week-to-week after sustaining a knee injury during Los Angeles’ joint practice with the Chargers, though head coach Sean McVay proclaimed there was “nothing serious” that would hamper the 23-year-old long-term.

McVay said Monday that Nacua and other injured players are tracking toward being ready to play Week 1 at Detroit, with the exception of right tackle Rob Havenstein. Left guard Jonah Jackson and cornerback Darious Williams also practiced Monday.

“We expect them to start to ease into full-speed workouts and different things like that with the expectation that they’ll be ready to go for the Lions game,” McVay said.

Nacua hauled in 105 receptions for 1,486 yards — NFL rookie records — in 2023 and scored six touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Rams WR Puka Nacua sets two rookie receiving records

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Pula Nacua set NFL rookie records on consecutive catches in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.

A 7-yard pass from Carson Wentz pushed Nacua’s yardage total to 1,480 this season, surpassing the 1,473 of rookie Bill Groman of the Houston Oilers in 1960.

On the next play, Wentz and Nacua connected for the fourth time in the game for 6 yards, giving Nacua, a fifth-round draft pick this year, 105 catches, one better than the Miami Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle in 2021.

The Rams scored a touchdown on the drive, pulling to within 20-13 late in the third quarter. San Francisco has already locked in the top NFC seed in the postseason, and the Rams were assured of a wild-card berth.

The teams were playing numerous backups, and Nacua immediately left the game after his historic catches.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) is stopped by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) after a 32 yard pass play in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Rams WR Puka Nacua sets multiple NFL records vs. 49ers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua set an NFL rookie record with 15 receptions in Sunday’s 30-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and set another mark with 25 catches over his first two NFL games.

Nacua also is the first rookie to rack up 10-plus catches and gain 100 or more receiving yards in each of his first two NFL games. He had 147 yards against San Francisco and had 10 receptions for 119 yards against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.

The previous rookie record for catches over two games was set by Earl Cooper (19) of the 49ers in 1980.

“He’s tough. He’s a physical competitor,” Rams coach Sean McVay said of Nacua after Sunday’s game. “He continued to battle all the way through to the end.

“He’s the epitome of what we want to be as Rams. I love Puka Nacua and I was really pleased with him today.”

Nacua was a fifth-round pick (No. 177 overall) in the 2023 draft out of BYU. Interestingly, he was the Rams’ fourth selection of the fifth round. Nacua had 48 receptions for 625 yards and five touchdowns in nine games last season.

Nacua caught 91 passes in two seasons with BYU after beginning his college career at Washington. He had 16 catches in two seasons for the Huskies.

Nacua was targeted 20 times during the contest against San Francisco. He has become a focal point of the offense with star Cooper Kupp sidelined with a hamstring injury. Kupp is on injured reserve and will miss at least two more games.

Kupp won the receiving triple crown in 2021, leading the NFL with 145 catches, 1,947 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He was limited to nine games in 2022 with a high ankle sprain.

Nacua is doing a nice impersonation with 25 receptions for 266 yards. He has the most receptions by a rookie in Rams franchise history through his first two games. Tavon Austin held the previous mark, hauling in 12 catches.

–Field Level Media

Sep 3, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the South Florida Bulls during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Report: BYU WRs Puka Nacua, Gunner Romney to miss Baylor game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

BYU receivers Puka Nacua and Gunner Romney are both expected to sit out Saturday night when the No. 21 Cougars host No. 9 Baylor at Provo, Utah.

ESPN reported Friday that Nacua (ankle) and Romney (undisclosed) will miss the nonconference showdown between future Big 12 rivals.

The losses represent a big blow for BYU as Nakua had five catches for 168 yards and one touchdown and Romney had three receptions for 81 yards in last season’s 38-24 road loss to the Bears.

Nakua caught one pass for 22 yards and rushed three times for 76 yards and two scores in BYU’s 50-21 home win over South Florida last weekend before leaving with his injury. He scored on a 75-yard run on the first play from scrimmage.

Nacua caught 43 passes for 805 yards and six touchdowns last season, his first with the Cougars after transferring from Washington.

Romney sat out the Southern Florida game due to his injury. He has 117 receptions for 1,900 yards and nine touchdowns in a career that began in 2018.

–Field Level Media