As the Los Angeles Rams move closer to Week 1, uncertainty continues to surround the availability of offensive tackle Alaric Jackson and wide receiver Puka Nacua.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported last week that the league was reviewing the situations involving both Nacua and Jackson. He also indicated that Nacua could potentially miss the Rams’ Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
However, the Rams are still waiting for an official ruling from the NFL. Neither Nacua nor Jackson was among the players included in Friday’s disciplinary announcements.
With only a few weeks remaining before the regular season begins, the uncertainty could become increasingly difficult for Los Angeles to manage.
The NFL does not have a mandatory deadline requiring it to announce a suspension before Week 1. While an early decision would allow the Rams more time to adjust their plans, the league is not obligated to provide that advance notice.
There have been instances of players receiving discipline well into the season. In 2024, Von Miller was handed a four-game suspension on October 1 and subsequently missed Weeks 5 through 8.
Ezekiel Elliott also faced a delayed suspension in 2017. Although the NFL announced his six-game ban on August 11, a lengthy appeals process meant he did not begin serving it until November 9, eventually missing Week 10.
For the Rams, an earlier decision would obviously be preferable, but there is no fixed deadline forcing the NFL to resolve either case before the season opener.
While Schefter suggested Nacua could potentially be suspended for the season opener, there is a greater reason for the NFL to wait before making a decision in his case.
Nacua’s situation involves an ongoing civil matter, and the league has generally been inclined to allow such legal proceedings to develop before taking independent disciplinary action.
At this stage, the NFL does not appear to have a final legal outcome on which to base discipline against Nacua. The allegations against the Rams receiver remain unproven, while the case itself is still active.
An earlier court hearing had been scheduled, but Nacua’s legal team requested that it be moved to a date after September 7.
That does not mean Nacua is completely free from the possibility of discipline. Should the allegations ultimately be substantiated following the later court proceedings, the NFL could still suspend him during the season.
For now, though, imposing a suspension before the civil case reaches a clearer stage would appear premature, leaving the Rams waiting for further developments.
Ojas Jaiswal is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times, currently working with the US Desk, where he covers a wide spectrum of American sports and global news developments. From high-intensity NFL moments on the field to the latest off-court NBA storylines, he specializes in delivering engaging, audience-driven stories that blend factual accuracy with compelling narratives. A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Bennett University, Ojas brings over two years of experience in digital journalism. Before joining Hindustan Times, he worked with EssentiallySports, a leading digital sports media platform catering to American sports audiences, where he contributed across multiple editorial and engagement-focused roles. He also interned with Times Network at the Sports Desk, producing articles and video content across diverse sports, ranging from Formula 1 to football. Known for his commitment to factual and accurate reporting, Ojas was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Editing during his college years. Beyond sports journalism, he closely follows international affairs and global developments, while also exploring documentaries from different cultures and regions around the world. A lifelong football enthusiast, Ojas has admired Lionel Messi since childhood and continues to draw inspiration from the football icon’s journey and legacy.Read More
