Nacua has been dealing with a psoas injury dating back to August. He is not at full strength, but signs indicate he will likely play in the season opener. Earlier in the offseason, Nacua faced controversy after reports of an alleged incident involving a bite and an antisemitic comment, which sparked discussion about possible disciplinary action. Those concerns had heightened scrutiny around his status heading into the season.
As the Rams prepare for the game, many analysts anticipated a potential NFL suspension for Nacua. However, with the season nearly upon them, it appears he will not face discipline for 2026. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter suggested on The Pat McAfee Show that there is a real possibility Nacua could begin the season without suspension. While Schefter noted the chance of future discipline remains possible, the immediate outlook is that Nacua is cleared to play in Australia.
His status is particularly important for the Rams, as the offense often revolves around their standout wide receiver, who led the league with 129 receptions last season. With Nacua healthy and in the lineup, the Rams’ aerial attack gains a significant boost ahead of a challenging start against a division rival.
Additional reading and context around current NFL perspectives and season projections can be found from various pre-week analyses and updated rankings for quarterbacks and players ahead of Week 1.
