The Rams already have enough problems trying to climb out of a 2-4 hole.
asserted
Rams → have → hole
Hanging over that effort is the possibility of losing two of their most important offensive players to NFL discipline.
asserted
possibility → hang → discipline
Wide receiver Puka Nacua and left tackle Alaric Jackson remain under league review for off-field incidents, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told The California Post on Wednesday.
asserted
McCarthy → remain → Wednesday
That leaves the Rams trying to rescue their season while waiting to learn whether their path will become even more difficult.
asserted
path → leave → season
The hope had been to build enough of a cushion in the standings to absorb potential suspensions.
asserted
hope → build → suspensions
Instead, the Rams have left themselves little margin for error, and an injury to wide receiver Davante Adams has further complicated their situation.
asserted
injury → leave → situation
If Nacua is suspended while Adams remains unavailable, an offense built around its star receivers would suddenly be severely limited at the position.
asserted
offense → suspend → position
That would put even more pressure on quarterback Matthew Stafford and coach Sean McVay to manufacture production with a depleted supporting cast, all while the Rams are trying to string together the wins necessary to get back into contention.
asserted
Rams → put → contention
Jackson’s importance is just as significant, even if his work comes with considerably less attention.
asserted
work → come → attention
Protecting Stafford’s blind side is central to the Rams’ offensive operation.
asserted
Protecting → protect → operation
Any extended absence at left tackle would create another obstacle for a team that can ill afford additional disruption.
asserted
that → create → disruption
The Rams already experienced life without Jackson in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, when he served a suspension separate from the pending off-field review.
asserted
he → experience → review
Now they are left managing two difficult realities: the immediate need to win and the uncertainty surrounding who will be available to help them do it.
asserted
them → leave → it
The cushion they wanted never materialized.
asserted
they → want → ?
And the waiting game offers no relief.
asserted
game → offer → relief
Nacua faces a civil lawsuit filed by Madison Atiabi, who alleges the receiver bit her shoulder and made an antisemitic remark during a New Year’s Eve outing.
asserted
receiver → face → outing
Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern, denied the alleged remark and characterized the biting as “horseplay.”
asserted
attorney → deny → horseplay
Atiabi withdrew her request for a restraining order in April to focus on the lawsuit.
asserted
Atiabi → withdraw → lawsuit
Jackson’s review follows his June arrest on suspicion of felony domestic violence.
asserted
review → follow → violence
Authorities investigated an incident in which he allegedly tried to take a phone from a woman, leaving scratches on her arm.
uncertain
he → investigate → arm
In July, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office assigned the case to a pre-filing diversion program, giving Jackson an opportunity to avoid criminal charges.
asserted
Office → assign → charges
The office said the case remained open and could be reevaluated if further developments emerged.
uncertain
developments → say → ?
That matter is separate from Jackson’s suspension for striking Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb after their game earlier this month.
asserted
matter → strike → game
The NFL initially imposed a two-game suspension before reducing it to one, which Jackson served during Sunday’s loss to Arizona.
asserted
Jackson → impose → Arizona
Completing that punishment cleared the way for his return, but did not resolve the league’s ongoing off-field review.
asserted
Completing → complete → review
The Aporia
