While the San Francisco 49ers have had to worry about whether George Kittle and Nick Bosa will be out on the field and active for their Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia, LA is wondering whether wide receiver Puka Nacua and recently un-retired defensive lineman Aaron Donald would be able to play.
Donald ultimately won't suit up for (or even travel to) the game in Australia, but that's only one factor.
The concern with Nacua from the Rams’ perspective is he could be suspended by the NFL due to offseason allegations made against him that he made an antisemitic comment to a woman before biting her.
Yet, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the expectation is Nacua will play in Week 1, and the insider even went so far as to say he wouldn’t be surprised if there is no discipline for Nacua this season. Perhaps this is because the allegations are being settled in a civil lawsuit rather than criminally, but it still feels like a bit of a double standard.
Not only that, but Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson is also expected to play even though he was arrested on a domestic violence charge in June. That one feels especially odd, especially when compared to other players, like Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, who was put on the NFL commissioner exempt list and will not be able to play until he’s off the list.
The NFL has always struggled to find the right way to punish players accused of these crimes, but these decisions certainly help the Rams as they take on the Niners. Both players are key, and having them on the field will increase LA's odds of winning.
Nacua is the Rams’ biggest weapon on offense. Him being on the field completely changes what they are able to do, so it’s a massive advantage in light of the NFL allowing him to play. Jackson plays a supremely important position as well, and the Rams could have very easily gone into the Melbourne matchup without their starting left tackle and star receiver.
Alas, the 49ers will likely have to face them both. They can’t feel bad for themselves or cry foul, so they just need to suck it up and try to take care of business in a very important game against an NFC West foe that just so happens to be the favorite to win the division.
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