Rams players enjoyed the day off they got for Christmas, perhaps no one more than Puka Nacua.
Last week the star receiver was fined $25,000 by NFL after he made critical comments about officials during a livestream and then again in a social media post immediately after the Rams game. a crushing defeat in overtime with a score of 38-37 from the Seattle Seahawks.
The fine was limited to a week during which Nacua also apologized for making an anti-Semitic gesture during a live broadcast, an incident that led the Rams and the NFL to also issue statements.
So Nacua said Friday that he was excited to enjoy Christmas before continuing to prepare for Monday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons.
“It was good to celebrate and be happy and get ready for what’s ahead,” he said after practice at SoFi Stadium.
Nacua said the fine “definitely hurt” but was not unexpected.
“It’s an experience you can learn from, and man, don’t ever let that happen again,” he said. “There will be moments of disappointment later in your career… so just being able to manage those emotions and channel that energy in the right direction.”
Nacua understands he has opportunities to deliver positive messages, advocate Matthew Stafford said.
“Obviously he's never going to be perfect, no one is,” said Stafford, a 17-year-old professional player. “We've all had things we wish we'd handled a little differently, but he's still our brother.
“We love him and will continue to support him and try to help him as much as we can.”
Nacua, a third-year punter, was selected to the Pro Bowl for the second time after having another stellar season that could put him in the running for NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors.
He leads the NFL with 114 catches. His 1,592 yards rushing ranks second and he caught eight touchdown passes.
Former Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp was the 2021 offensive player of the year, when he captured the so-called Triple Crown in receptions, leading the league with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdown catches.
Nacua and Stafford, who was also a Pro Bowl selection, have been particularly in sync over the last three games.
In a rout of the Cardinals on Dec. 7, Nacua caught seven passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. The following week, he caught nine passes for 181 yards in a win over the Detroit Lions.
Four days later, with another star receiver Davante Adams Sidelined with a hamstring injury, he caught 12 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the Seahawks.
Nacua was especially effective on crucial plays on third and fourth downs.
“It was fun to go through those intense moments because that’s what you do in sports,” he said. “You live for third and fourth place conversions and find any way to convert.
“When opportunities like this come along, it’s fun.”
Through three games, Nacua did “the same things he's done all season,” Stafford said, noting the Rams have made more chances in the last few games.
“He runs great routes,” Stafford said, “and plays very hard, with or without the football.”
The Rams (11-4) made the playoffs and are currently ranked sixth in the NFC. They play Sokolov (6-9) and then finishes the season at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
Nacua is looking to continue his recent streak of growing success that stems from his connection with Stafford and the “excitement” that permeates the Rams' locker room.
“There’s just a desire to keep going out and putting yourself out there,” he said, “and so it becomes fun when you get the reward you want.”
Etc.
After practicing at Sophie Stadium on Wednesday and Friday, the Rams will return to their base in Woodland Hills for practice on Saturday. … Adams, left tackle Alaric Jackson (knee), right guard Kevin Dotson (ankle) and cornerback Josh Wallace (ankle) did not practice, according to the Rams' injury report.
