Over the last few months, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been trying to steer clear of trouble. With the season opener only days ahead, he has now been dealt yet another tough hand. Nacua’s former partner, Hallee Aiono, has come forward with some serious allegations.

“I have experienced the darkest, darkest days of my life in the last year and a half,” she said in a TikTok, referring to when she was pregnant with hers and Nacua’s son. “I went from loving somebody so deeply for four years – I felt it in my bones – to experiencing extreme betrayal, abuse, complete neglect from them, in what, it felt like it happened almost overnight.”

“A lot of the things that were public affected my mental health. But honestly, the things that were happening in private are what completely crushed me and altered my brain chemistry. Those parts, what people never saw, or know of, are what broke me.”

Well, she definitely did not take Nacua’s name. However, given the pattern and the situation, it’s easy for everyone to connect the dots. 

Aiono and Nacua began dating when the latter was in college, but broke up after four years together. But by now, fans are aware of how things turned rough between Nacua and Aiono. Last year, there were reports that the wide receiver did a paternity test to confirm whether Aiono’s child was his.

In one of the episodes of The Pivot podcast in July, 2025, Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor discussed Aiono and Nacua’s paternity situation. That particular episode left Aiono mentally upset. 

“A year ago from today, three retired, old, NFL guys decided to talk about me on their podcast, and talked about me in a very disgusting and viral way,” she shared in a TikTok video later. “And a year later, I am still healing from it. What they didn’t know and what the world didn’t know… I wasn’t receiving the financial, emotional, physical support that I needed.”

The reveal follows Nacua’s other big controversy, as he is facing a civil lawsuit for an incident that occurred at a New Year’s party. In March this year, a woman in Los Angeles filed a civil suit against Nacua, alleging he made an “unprovoked antisemitic statement” and subsequently bit her shoulder.

In court documents reviewed by ESPN, plaintiff Madison Atiabi claimed Nacua made an antisemitic remark, saying, “f*** all the Jews.” The wide receiver checked himself into rehab soon after in April, and has since claimed he is committed to a better way of life

Months later, going by the latest update received in August, the judge called the matter “a firm trial date,” adding that “there shall not be any continuances without good cause,” during a hearing in a Santa Monica courthouse. 

The court has scheduled a final status conference in the case for March 14, 2028.

Given the string of off-field incidents that Nacua found himself in, the Rams refused to make him a part of the roster moving into the 2026 season, leading to chances of suspension.  

Pete Nacua’s off-field issues put his 2026 season in jeopardy

Los Angeles has already finalized their 53-man roster, meaning they are sure which players they will not proceed with this season, and it’s a matter of concern for Nacua. He was expected to be on the commissioner’s exempt list on Sunday, August 30, which would have given Nacua a paid paid administrative leave while the NFL reviewed his personal conduct policy violations.

For instance, three other players, Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathan Cooper, and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Terrion Arnold, were on the list as they face legal battles. 

According to The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero, Nacua was not given that grace period, leading to chances of suspension. 

“(Nacua) could potentially face discipline for some of the offseason headlines that accompanied him, and some of those incidents last year with another woman, what did and didn’t occur,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on August 11.

Despite the off-field struggles, he earned some praise for his on-field talent. In ESPN’s list of predicting top 100 players for the 2026 season, Nacua was ranked at No.6, 30-spots above last year’s ranking. His 129 receptions led the league last season, helping him earn first-team All-Pro honors in 2025 even though injuries limited him in two games.

Nacua led the league in receiving yards per game at 107.2 last season. He has also amassed 4,191 receiving yards over his first three seasons, trailing only Justin Jefferson’s 4,825.

Time to see whether the Rams will compromise by suspending a talent like Nacua.