Puka Nacua’s Shocking Rehab Stint: What Really Led to the Sudden Decision?

Rams star Puka Nacua isn’t going to be back in practice until he’s out of rehab. According to Nacua’s attorney in a statement confirmed with The California Post, the All-Pro wideout has been working on some of his issues in a rehab facility in Malibu.

Nacua has been the wrong kind of star in the last few months as the subject of multiple off-field incidents involving alcohol, antisemitic remarks, and biting people.

The New York Post detailed the circumstances surrounding Nacua’s rehab stint and the statements from his lawyer:

The Rams receiver’s attorney, Levi McCathern, confirmed with The California Post on Wednesday that his client has been at a luxury treatment center in Malibu.

While McCathern said the move was not a direct response to the lawsuit Nacua’s bite accuser, Madison Atiabi, filed against him late last month, the lawyer did say “the combination of stories ya’ll have run is certainly a contributing factor.”

“He was in there a substantial period of time before any of these allegations broke with Madison,” McCathern said, “and he’s scheduled to be there for a while longer.”

McCathern added that Nacua’s goal with the stay is “to improve his overall behavior in every aspect of his life that he can do it.”

The Post also added several photos of Nacua at the luxury rehab facility, which is described in the story as “one that vows to use special treatments to help patients who are battling issues — including drug and alcohol addition, chronic pain and mental health conditions.”

Rams fans and others can’t assume with 100-percent accuracy what exactly Nacua is getting treatment for but one thing that’s clear is that he’s aware of what’s at stake this year if he doesn’t prove to himself and the team that he’s capable of focusing on his football career: A contract worth over $100 million of life-changing money.