Full Breakdown
Puka Nacua Bite Allegations Resurface with New Photo Evidence
7/22/2026, 12:29:11 PM
Core Event: Civil Lawsuit Over Alleged Bite on New Year’s Eve
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is accused of biting woman Madison Atiabi on the shoulder of a van on New Year’s Eve 2025. Attorney Joseph Kar has filed a civil lawsuit alleging assault, battery, gender-based violence and negligence. A newly released color photograph shows bite-mark imprints that Kar says prove the incident was “not horseplay.”
Background & Context
Nacua’s representatives first described the encounter as “horseplay,” later calling it a “temporary mark” after a March 2026 police report. Nacua entered a private rehabilitation facility and said the experience helped him grow. The civil case proceeds alongside a city-attorney diversion hearing that could replace misdemeanor prosecution.
Timeline
- New Year’s Eve 2025 – Alleged bite occurs in a van.
- March 2026 – Atiabi and Kar submit a black-and-white photo with a restraining-order request.
- March 24 – Color version of the photo released to the public.
- July 20 – Kar files a Case Management Conference statement.
- July 21 – USA Today’s Josh Peter reports the new photo, reiterating the bite “was not horseplay.”
- May 28 – City Attorney’s Office assigns the matter to a diversion hearing.
Data & Statistics
- The color image displays approximately 16 tooth imprints from both jaws.
- Kar says the bite created a micropuncture that required a tetanus shot for the victim.
Official Statements & Responses
- A Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office spokesperson clarified that the case has been placed in a diversion hearing, which could avoid formal misdemeanor prosecution but still carries potential NFL disciplinary implications.
Criticism & Opposition
Nacua’s legal team argues the civil complaint inflates a single incident into a gender-based assault claim, contending the evidence is overstated to seek monetary gain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A color photo of the bite mark Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua allegedly left on a woman’s shoulder shows the incident was not horseplay, according to an attorney representing the woman,” — USA Today’s Josh Peter
- “They continue to make up stories trying to turn this minor episode into big dollars,” — Levi McCathern, through his attorney
Why It Matters / Impact
The suit and the diversion hearing intersect with the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. If the league finds a violation, Nacua could face fines or a suspension, affecting his on-field availability and fantasy-football draft value. The Rams have not announced team-level discipline, and the dispute coincides with Nacua’s pending contract extension negotiations.
What’s Next
The diversion hearing will determine whether criminal charges proceed. The NFL and the Rams have indicated no immediate disciplinary action, but both retain authority to act if the conduct policy is deemed violated. The civil lawsuit remains active, and further court rulings could shape the outcome for Nacua’s career and legal standing.
