Two major fantasy football players could be facing discipline from the NFL before the start of the 2026 regular season.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs remain under review by the league following separate off-field incidents.
Schefter said on his podcast that there are discussions happening behind the scenes at the NFL and that discipline remains a possibility for both players. He expects more clarity on their statuses by the start of the regular season, and potentially sooner.
“It’s possible that when the 49ers and Rams play in Australia, it’s within the realm of options that Puka doesn’t play in that game,” Schefter said. He also noted that the Packers potentially losing Jacobs remains “under review” by the NFL.
That puts both players’ Week 1 availability in question with fantasy football draft season underway.
Why Could Puka Nacua Be Suspended?
Nacua’s situation stems from multiple off-field controversies over the past year.
In March, a woman filed a civil lawsuit against Nacua alleging assault and battery, gender violence and negligence stemming from an encounter on New Year’s Eve. The woman alleged Nacua made an antisemitic statement and later bit her shoulder, leaving an imprint.
Nacua’s attorney has strongly denied the allegations and said Nacua denied making the alleged antisemitic comments. His attorney characterized the biting incident as “horseplay” and said Nacua planned to pursue legal action in response to the accusations.
The incident came after Nacua apologized in December 2025 for performing an antisemitic gesture during a livestream. Nacua said at the time that he was unaware of the gesture’s meaning and apologized for his actions.
The NFL can discipline players under its personal conduct policy independently of the outcome of criminal or civil proceedings, which leaves the possibility of league discipline on the table.
Josh Jacobs’ Arrest Remains Under NFL Review
Jacobs’ situation stems from his May 26 arrest in Wisconsin.
The Packers running back was arrested and booked into Brown County Jail on five alleged offenses, including felony strangulation, battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and intimidation of a victim.
The arrest followed a disturbance complaint that police responded to several days earlier.
Jacobs’ attorneys strongly denied the allegations. He was released from custody the following day after the Brown County District Attorney’s Office said it was not yet prepared to make a formal charging decision and had requested additional investigation before determining whether criminal charges were appropriate.
Now, nearly three months later, Schefter says Jacobs’ situation remains under review by the NFL, creating another layer of uncertainty surrounding his availability to begin the season.
Fantasy Football Impact: MarShawn Lloyd Could Be a Major Beneficiary
For fantasy managers, Jacobs’ situation makes MarShawn Lloyd one of the more interesting late-round running backs to monitor heading into the season.
Lloyd has already been generating positive reports during Packers training camp and is expected to work with Green Bay’s first-team offense during its preseason opener. Head coach Matt LaFleur recently called Lloyd a bright spot in camp.
Jacobs is also currently sidelined with a groin injury, with LaFleur saying he will be limited for “at least this week.”
If Jacobs were suspended to begin the season, Lloyd would have an opportunity to immediately take on a significant role in Green Bay’s backfield. Chris Brooks could also be involved, but Lloyd’s explosiveness and current momentum in camp make him particularly intriguing for fantasy managers.
Even without a suspension, Lloyd is becoming an increasingly valuable handcuff for Jacobs. If discipline does come down before Week 1, his fantasy value could rise significantly.
What a Puka Nacua Suspension Would Mean for Fantasy Football
Nacua’s situation is more difficult for fantasy managers because he’s currently being selected near the very top of drafts.
The Rams star led the NFL with 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025 and remains one of the safest bets in football to command an elite target share when he’s on the field.
A one-game suspension wouldn’t drastically change his season-long fantasy outlook, but fantasy managers using an early first-round selection on Nacua need to be aware that his Week 1 availability isn’t guaranteed.
Davante Adams would receive an immediate target boost if Nacua were forced to miss time, while receivers further down the Rams’ depth chart, including Jordan Whittington and rookie CJ Daniels, would become names to monitor.
For now, there is no official suspension for either Nacua or Jacobs. However, Schefter’s comments make their situations worth closely following as fantasy drafts ramp up and the NFL regular season approaches.
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