Los Angeles Rams All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua has entered a luxury treatment center in Malibu, California, his attorney confirmed Wednesday, marking a significant step in addressing off-field issues during the NFL offseason.
Nacua, 24, checked into the holistic care facility in early March — weeks before public allegations surfaced regarding an incident on New Year’s Eve. According to his attorney, Levi McCathern, the Pro Bowl pass-catcher has been at the center “for a substantial period of time” and is “scheduled to be there for a while longer.” McCathern told The New York Post and The California Post that Nacua’s stay is focused on “personal growth” and improving “his overall behavior in every aspect of his life that he can do it.”
The move comes amid reports of a lawsuit filed by a woman named Madison Atiabi, who accused Nacua of biting her while intoxicated during a New Year’s Eve gathering in Los Angeles and allegedly making an antisemitic remark. Atiabi had sought a restraining order, though recent reports indicate she is withdrawing the petition. McCathern emphasized that Nacua’s decision to seek treatment was not a direct response to the lawsuit, though the ensuing media coverage was “certainly a contributing factor.”
The facility specializes in treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, chronic pain, and mental health concerns.
Nacua has remained largely silent on social media since the allegations broke. The Rams organization has not issued an official statement on the rehab news as of Wednesday evening.
On the field, Nacua remains one of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers. After a record-setting rookie campaign in 2023 that earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration, the former undrafted free agent out of BYU has emerged as Matthew Stafford’s go-to target. He has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024 despite missing time with injuries. His absence from voluntary offseason activities will not impact his contract status, as the Rams are reportedly prioritizing a long-term extension with the 6-foot-2, 212-pound receiver, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
The timing of Nacua’s rehab — coming in the heart of the NFL’s offseason program — allows him time to focus on recovery without missing mandatory minicamp or training camp, assuming he is cleared to return. Rams officials have declined to comment on any potential roster or disciplinary implications.
This is not the first time an NFL player has stepped away for treatment during the offseason. Several prominent receivers, including former stars like Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster, have used similar periods for mental health and personal development. Nacua’s representatives have stressed that the wideout is committed to returning stronger, both personally and professionally.
