Why is Puka Nacua in rehab? Here's what led Rams WR to seek treatment

Los Angeles Ramswide receiverPuka Nacuais in rehab. What events led him to check in to a luxury treatment center in Malibu, and what comes next for the rising star receiver?

In March, a woman filed a civil lawsuit against Nacua alleging he bit her and one of her friends on Dec. 31. The woman also said that the Rams' receiver made an antisemitic comment during the dinner where she alleges the biting incident took place.

See Puka Nacua and his NFL career in photos

On April 1, Nacua's attorney Levi McCathern told USA TODAY Sports thatNacua had entered rehab.

USA TODAY Sports has compiled a full timeline of what we know about Nacua's rehab, from what led up to his checking into the treatment center to what comes next.

PUKA NACUA:Rams' Puka Nacua in rehab following alleged biting incident

Timeline of Puka Nacua's offseason: Why Rams WR is in rehab

Dec. 16, 2025

Nacua appears on an online livestreamwith streamers Adin Ross and N3on (real name Rangesh Mutama). During the livestream, Ross requests that Nacua celebrate his next touchdown by using an antisemitic trope that the streamer demonstrates. In copying Ross, the receiver mimics the trope.

Dec. 18, 2025

Nacua releases a statementapologizing for using the gesture on the livestream two days prior.

"When I appeared the other day on a social media livestream, it was suggested to me to perform a specific movement as part of my next touchdown celebration," he wrote in an Instagram post. "At the time, I had no idea this act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people.

"I deeply apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions as I do not stand for any form of racism, bigotry or hate of another group of people."

The Instagram post of the apology has since been deleted.

Dec. 29, 2025

TheLos Angeles Ramslose aWeek 17 gameto the Atlanta Falcons 27-24. With five seconds left in the game, Nacuaappears to catch a sideline passnear Rams kicker Harrison Mevis' field goal range, but the referees rule it incomplete. A replay assistant challenges the call, and the incompletion call is confirmed.

Nacua finishes the game with 47 yards and a touchdown on five catches.

Dec. 31, 2025

Nacua allegedly makes an antisemitic comment and bites two women on New Year's Eve.

Jan. 4, 2026

Nacua plays in the Rams' final regular season game, aWeek 18 victoryover the Arizona Cardinals. The wideout finishes the contest with 10 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.

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Jan. 10-25, 2026

Nacua continues to play throughout Los Angeles' run to theNFC championship gamein the playoffs. By the time the Seahawks beat the Rams for an NFC title and spot in the Super Bowl, Nacua has 24 catches for 332 yards and two touchdowns in three playoff games.

Feb. 8, 2026

The night of the Super Bowl, asocial media clipsurfaces showing Nacua stumbling and dancing in the street. In the video, the receiver tries to get into a black SUV before another person pulls him away. Nacua jumps up and down and dances in front of another car. He's eventually pulled by his shirt over to another black SUV, which he jumps into.

March 25, 2026

A womanfiles a civil lawsuit accusing Nacuaof the biting incident on Dec. 31. In the suit, she alleges he bit her, and caused injury, pain and suffering after a dinner in the Century City area of Los Angeles. She also alleges Nacua bit her female friend that night.

According to the lawsuit, Nacua made an antisemitic comment and was sexually suggestive at the dinner prior to the biting incident.

McCathern, Nacua's attorney, says in a statement to USA TODAY Sports thatNacua denies the accusationsand that a sober witness has denied them as well.

"We will be filing a defamation lawsuit and pursuing all available legal remedies in response to these false and damaging statements," McCathern says.

He also says the alleged victim of the biting incident asked for millions of dollars in exchange for not publicizing the allegations.

"Let's be clear about what this case is — and what it is not," McCathern says. "This matter is not sexual in nature, nor does it involve any allegation of domestic violence. If it did, the filings would look very different. They do not. It also doesn't involve any elements of antisemitism."

April 1, 2026

McCathern tells USA TODAY Sports thatNacua has entered rehab.

"Puka is taking responsibility for his well-being and is focused on improving his performance during the offseason," McCathern writes in a statement. "Well before any temporary restraining order was filed ... Puka voluntarily entered a private facility to focus on his health, personal growth, and overall development."

McCathern also notes that the temporary restraining order was denied.

Puka Nacua contract: May 2026

McCathern states that Nacua will finish his program at the recovery facility in time to re-join the Rams for organized team activities (OTAs).

Rams OTAs begin in May. The exact date remains to be announced as of April 2.

The fourth-year wideout is entering the final season of his rookie contract in 2026. With his third NFL season in the books, Nacua is eligible for a contract extension that could be among the highest-value contracts of all NFL receivers.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:What Puka Nacua is in rehab for, why Rams WR is there, what's next

byJastin

in

April 02, 2026

Why is Puka Nacua in rehab? Here's what led Rams WR to seek treatment

Los Angeles Ramswide receiverPuka Nacuais in rehab. What events led him to check in to a luxury treatment center in Mali...

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Was timing of Eagles ESPN piece a 'warning shot' to Jalen Hurts?

The NFL world was abuzz Wednesday morning with anESPN piece that detailed the rift between Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' offensive operation,including head coach Nick Sirianni, wide receiver A.J. Brown and multiple offensive coordinators.

The bottom line? Hurts' new coordinator, Sean Mannion, will force him out of his comfort zone, and if he's not on board with that, the Eagles may reevaluate the quarterback position next offseason.

Something else caught the eye of Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio: the timing.

"I mean, just think if that report had landed at 6 a.m. Eastern on Monday," Florio said on Thursday's edition of "Yahoo Sports Daily." "It would have dominated the conversation (at theNFL spring meetings). Nick Sirianni would've been bombarded with questions at the coaches' breakfast on Monday. Howie Roseman, the GM, would've been asked about it.

"… I think this was a warning shot calculated by the Eagles."

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Hurts was named Super Bowl MVP after guiding the Eagles to a championship in the 2024 season, and he was a second-team All-Pro in the 2022 season, which resulted in another Super Bowl trip. But his unique skill set and reported resistance to change have presented challenges in both designing and executing the offense, especially in the Eagles' underwhelming title defense last season.

Florio pointed out that the way Philadelphia structuredHurts' $255 million extensionin 2023 meant he's been "essentially untouchable" the past couple years because of the dead money charge moving on from him would require. That dead money charge, however, drops to $67 million next offseason, still a high figure but not one that would preclude a franchise that views itself as a contender from making difficult decisions like changing the starting quarterback.

"I think by next year, [the Eagles] are in a position where if they have to do something, they will," Florio said.

Mannion comes from the Sean McVay tree and promises to incorporate pre-snap shifts and motion, as well as playing more from under center. The ESPN story noted in particular how Hurts doesn't like to do that because he doesn't like to turn his back to the defense. It also mentioned how he routinely changes plays instead of executing the offense as it's called.

It seems like the time for that is over — at least if Hurts wants to remain the Eagles' starting quarterback long into the future.

"He's on notice," Florio said. "… If you don't start doing what the team wants you to do, it will be in a position as of next year to consider its options at the position."

byJastin

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April 02, 2026

Was timing of Eagles ESPN piece a 'warning shot' to Jalen Hurts?

The NFL world was abuzz Wednesday morning with anESPN piece that detailed the rift between Jalen Hurts and the Eagles...

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Mickelson pulls out of the Masters, which will be without Lefty and Woods for first time since 1994

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Three-time champion Phil Mickelson withdrew from the Masters on Thursday, citing a personal health matter with his family that kept him out of all but one of the five LIV Golf events this year.

"Unfortunately I will not play in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter," Mickelsonpostedon social media.

Tiger Woods said Tuesday he was taking an indefinite leaveto seek treatment after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence in a Feb. 27 crash in Florida.

It will be the first time neither Woods nor Mickelson will be at the Masters since 1994, when Woods was a senior in high school and Mickelson had broken his leg while skiing earlier that year.

Mickelson called the Masters "definitely the most special week of the year," and his record reflects that. He won his first major at Augusta National in 2004, the last player to win the Masters by one shot with a birdie putt on the 72nd hole.

He also won in 2006 and in 2010, one of only eight players to win the Masters at least three times.

Mickelson has not shared details of the personal family matter. He sat out LIV's four events to start the year and returned in South Africa two weeks ago, tying for 48th in the 57-man field.

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"It's just fun to be back playing," he said in South Africa.

The only other time Mickelson missed the Masters was in 2022, when he tooka leave of absence after inflammatory remarks as the Saudi-funded LIV Golf was preparing to launch.

Mickelson accused the PGA Tour of "obnoxious greed" in a Golf Digest interview. In an interview with author Alan Shipnuck for his book on Mickelson, he dismissed Saudi Arabia's human rights record and the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reshape the PGA Tour.

The remarks cost him corporate sponsorships. Mickelson joined LIV later that year.

The Masters starts April 9 with a 91-man field, with one spot still available if the winner of this week's Texas Open is not already eligible.

AP golf:https://apnews.com/hub/golf

byJastin

in

April 02, 2026

Mickelson pulls out of the Masters, which will be without Lefty and Woods for first time since 1994

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Three-time champion Phil Mickelson withdrew from the Masters on Thursday, citing a personal health m...

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Judge dismisses Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni

A federal judge in New York tossed out actor Blake Lively'ssexual harassment claimsThursday against actor Justin Baldoni over their roles in the movie "It Ends With Us," but he left intact two retaliation claims, which will let a jury hear many of the allegations anyway.

The 152-page ruling by Judge Lewis J. Liman in Manhattan came after Lively sued Baldoni in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment among more than a dozen claims against Baldoni and other parties.

A trial is scheduled to start on May 18. A brief phone conference was conducted after Liman issued his ruling. On the call, lawyers discussed the process of jury selection for the trial.

Baldoni, who directed the movie and co-starred opposite Lively, has denied the sexual harassment claims.

Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios had countersued for $400 million against Lively and her husband, "Deadpool" actor Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. The judgedismissed Baldoni's claimslast June.

In his ruling, Liman determined that Lively was an independent contractor rather than an employee. On that basis, he said she was not entitled to bring sexual harassment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That law prohibits employment discrimination on various grounds, including gender.

In an analysis of the sexual harassment claims, the judge said Lively's claims had to be viewed in the context of the movie they were working on.

"Lively claims that during filming, Baldoni leaned in and gestured as if he was intending to kiss her, and that he kissed her forehead, rubbed his face and mouth against her neck, put his thumb to her mouth and flicked her lower lip, caressed her, and leaned into her neck, saying 'it smells good,'" the judge wrote.

He said there was no question that the conduct would support a hostile work environment claim if it happened on a factory floor or in an executive suite.

However, the judge noted, Baldoni was "acting in the scene."

"Assuming he was improvising, the conduct was not so far beyond what might reasonably be expected to take place between two characters during a slow dancing scene such that an inference of hostile treatment on the basis of sex would arise. At least in isolation, the conduct was directed to Lively's character rather than to Lively herself," he wrote.

"Creative artists, no less than comedy room writers, must have some amount of space to experiment within the bounds of an agreed script without fear of being held liable for sexual harassment," Liman added.

Despite those findings, the judge said some sexual harassment claims may be put to a jury to support two retaliation claims that survived the ruling, including one against It Ends With Us Movie LLC and Wayfarer Studios, and a third claim that was left intact, alleging breach of a contract rider agreement against It Ends With Us Movie LLC.

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The judge noted that Baldoni once said "pretty hot" after asking Lively to remove her jacket, exposing a lace bra underneath, and that when he was warned that it was inappropriate and distracting to make such comment, he allegedly rolled his eyes and responded: "Sorry, I missed the sexual harassment training."

Liman also cited a scene in which Baldoni pushed for Lively to perform a birth scene naked and then the scene was filmed over several hours without the set being closed to nonessential personnel.

Attorneys for Baldoni said in a statement to CBS News that they're "very pleased" the court dismissed the sexual harassment claims, stating they were "very serious allegations."

"What's left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court," attorneys Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach said in a statement.

An attorney for Lively said in a statement to CBS News that the case "has always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively's reputation because she stood up for safety on the set and that is the case that is going to trial."

"For Blake Lively, the greatest measure of justice is that the people and the playbook behind these coordinated digital attacks have been exposed and are already being held accountable by other women they've targeted," said Sigrid McCawley, an attorney for Lively. "She looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation so that it becomes easier to detect and fight."

In February 2025, Livelyalleged in an amended complaintthat Baldoni made other women uncomfortable on the set of "It Ends with Us."

"It Ends With Us," an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling 2016 novel that begins as a romance but takes a dark turn into domestic violence, wasreleased in August 2024, exceeding box office expectations with a $50 million debut. But the movie's release was shrouded by speculation over discord between Lively and Baldoni.

Lively appeared in the 2005 film "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and the TV series "Gossip Girl" from 2007 to 2012 before starring in films including "The Town" and "The Shallows."

Baldoni starred in the TV comedy "Jane the Virgin," directed the 2019 film "Five Feet Apart" and wrote "Man Enough," a book challenging traditional notions of masculinity.

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byJastin

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April 02, 2026

Judge dismisses Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni

A federal judge in New York tossed out actor Blake Lively'ssexual harassment claimsThursday against actor Justin...

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Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni tossed out but robust case remains

NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Lively'ssexual harassment claimsagainst Justin Baldoni over the movie "It Ends With Us" were dismissed Thursday by a federal judge who left intact three claims, including retaliation, that will let a jury hear many of the allegations anyway.

The written ruling by Judge Lewis J. Liman in Manhattan came after Lively, who starred in and produced the film, sued her co-star and director in December 2024. A trial is scheduled for May 18.

Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios had countersued Lively and her husband, "Deadpool" actor Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. The judge dismissed Baldoni's claims last June.

In his ruling, Liman determined that Lively was an independent contractor rather than an employee. On that basis, he said she was not entitled to bring sexual harassment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That law prohibits employment discrimination on various grounds, including gender.

As to retaliation, the judge said some evidence might enable a jury to conclude that Baldoni's production company planned not only to damage Lively's reputation but to destroy her career amid fear she'd file a discrimination claim. Lively alleges a smear campaign has been "devastating for her reputation and career," the judge noted.

In an analysis of the sexual harassment claims, the judge said Lively's claims had to be viewed in the context of the movie they were working on.

"Lively claims that during filming, Baldoni leaned in and gestured as if he was intending to kiss her, and that he kissed her forehead, rubbed his face and mouth against her neck, put his thumb to her mouth and flicked her lower lip, caressed her, and leaned into her neck, saying 'it smells good,'" the judge wrote.

He said there was no question that the conduct would support a hostile work environment claim if it happened on a factory floor or in an executive suite.

However, the judge noted, Baldoni was "acting in the scene" and his "conduct was not so far beyond what might reasonably be expected to take place between two characters during a slow dancing scene such that an inference of hostile treatment on the basis of sex would arise. At least in isolation, the conduct was directed to Lively's character rather than to Lively herself."

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Liman added: "Creative artists, no less than comedy room writers, must have some amount of space to experiment within the bounds of an agreed script without fear of being held liable for sexual harassment."

Despite those findings, the judge said some sexual harassment claims may be put to a jury to support two retaliation claims that survived the ruling, including one against It Ends With Us Movie LLC and Wayfarer Studios, and a third claim that was left intact alleging breach of a contract rider agreement against It Ends With Us Movie LLC.

The judge noted that Baldoni once said "pretty hot" after asking Lively to remove her jacket, exposing a lace bra underneath, and that when he was warned that it was inappropriate and distracting to make such comment, he allegedly rolled his eyes and responded: "Sorry, I missed the sexual harassment training."

Liman also cited a scene in which Baldoni pushed for Lively to perform a birth scene naked and then the scene was filmed over several hours without the set being closed to nonessential personnel.

In a statement, Lively attorney Sigrid McCawley wrote that Lively "looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation so that it become easier to detect and fight."

She added: "This case has always been and will remain focused on the devasting retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively's reputation because she stood up for safety on the set and that is the case that is going to trial."

A lawyer for Baldoni and his production company did not immediately comment.

"It Ends With Us," an adaptation ofColleen Hoover's bestselling 2016 novelthat begins as a romance but takes a dark turn into domestic violence, was released in August 2024,exceeding box office expectationswith a $50 million debut. But the movie's release was shrouded by speculation over discord between Lively and Baldoni.

Lively appeared in the 2005 film "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and the TV series "Gossip Girl" from 2007 to 2012 before starring in films including "The Town" and "The Shallows."

Baldoni starred in the TV comedy"Jane the Virgin,"directed the 2019 film "Five Feet Apart" and wrote "Man Enough," a book challenging traditional notions of masculinity.

byJastin

in

April 02, 2026

Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni tossed out but robust case remains

NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Lively'ssexual harassment claimsagainst Justin Baldoni over the movie "It Ends With Us...

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Geno Auriemma against WNBA draft age change: 'Women's basketball would suffer'

PHOENIX –UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemmawould not be a fan of any potential WNBA rule change that would allow players to join the league sooner.

NBA players must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft. However, the WNBA requires any player drafted to be at least 22 years old in the year theWNBA drafttakes place. The player must also have no remaining college eligibility or renounce any remaining eligibility. International players must be at least 20 years old on the year the draft takes place. Auriemma says changing the WNBA's rule would not be good for the league or college basketball.

"I think it would be a really bad rule. I'm not saying they need to stay four years. I've coached players, (who) after their freshman year, they would be able to handle it," Auriemma told the media Thursday ahead of the Final Four.

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More:Geno Auriemma blasts NCAA over 'frustrating' Sweet 16, Elite Eight setup

Michigan State's Rashunda Jones (1) walks off the court following a second-round game in the NCAA women's basketball tournament between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan State Spartans at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday March 22, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Kamy Peppler #1 of the Green Bay Phoenix reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter during the First Round of the Women's NCAA Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

March Sadness hits hard in the Women's NCAA basketball tournament

Michigan State's Rashunda Jones (1) walks off the court following a second-round game in theNCAA women's basketballtournament between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan State Spartans at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday March 22, 2026.

"I do think women's basketball would suffer in that you wouldn't get the recognition around the country that Azzi Fudd has if you're in college one year, okay? If Sarah (Strong) would have left after last year, you wouldn't have that continued (chance to watch) her grow, and she would go to the WNBA. Great for her. Great opportunity for her. But a bad opportunity 'cause you're not going to replace her with somebody equal."

Auriemma says women's basketball would be "diminished" if players only completed one year of college play before moving on to the pro level. He also said very few players would be able to do as some baseball players do and be a pro right out of high school.

Auriemma even joked he likes the way football requires players to wait, saying you wouldn't send a college freshman or sophomore to play against "grown men" who would "break you in half." The UConn coach eventually said if a change was going to be made, the "baseball model" would be his preference.

"I do think there's benefits for them to grow," Auriemma said. "Now with the money they're making, you got pros wanting to come back to college."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:UConn coach Geno Auriemma against potential WNBA draft age rule change

byJastin

in

April 02, 2026

Geno Auriemma against WNBA draft age change: 'Women's basketball would suffer'

PHOENIX –UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemmawould not be a fan of any potential WNBA rule change that would...

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