We’re just a week out from a huge international game, and the NFL still hasn’t dropped a decision on potential suspensions for Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua and offensive tackle Alaric Jackson. These two are *not* on the commissioner’s exempt list right now, which is a pretty clear signal that the league expects them to suit up for Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers. But how wild is it that we’re this close to kickoff with these looming questions?
The Legal Cloud Over Nacua and Jackson
Let’s get into what’s actually going on here. Nacua is staring down a civil lawsuit that alleges physical assault and battery. The victim in that case claimed Nacua bit her on the shoulder on New Year’s Eve. Yikes. And if that wasn’t enough, a New York Post article also features his ex claiming abuse, though the source doesn’t get into specific allegations. That’s a lot of heat on one of the league’s rising stars. Then you’ve got Alaric Jackson, who’s pegged to be the Rams’ starting left tackle, also caught in this suspension limbo. With the 49ers on the docket, losing a starting tackle, let alone a dynamic receiver, would be a huge blow for the Rams.
History Shows The League Acts Fast. Sometimes.
The NFL has a track record of dropping the hammer early in September. Think back to 2017: kicker Josh Brown got hit with a six-game suspension on September 8. And 2015? One player suspended on September 3, another on September 5, and then five more on September 8, all for violating the Personal Conduct Policy. It gets even heavier. In 2014, Ray Rice got an indefinite suspension on September 8 for a domestic violence incident, with Josh Brent suspended six games just six days before that. There was even a suspension on September 1 back in 2010. So yeah, there are plenty of examples of players getting benched during the first week of September since 2010. Knowing that history, why the silence now?
Is The NFL Playing The Long Game For Eyeballs?
This is where it gets interesting. We all know the NFL is a business, and they care *a lot* about eyeballs on their product. Could it be that the league is intentionally holding off on these decisions until *after* this international game in Australia? It makes you wonder if they want to avoid these incidents being front and center on the broadcast or dominating the pre-game discussion. It’s a calculated move if true, keeping the focus purely on the football for this big global showcase. But the questions linger. Will we see suspensions?
The Rams and 49ers are set to clash in that international game next week. All eyes will be on the field, but also on any news from the league office about Nacua and Jackson. This situation is far from over, and whatever the NFL decides, it’s going to set a tone for the early part of the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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