Why is Puka Nacua being fined? Explaining Rams WR's $5,424 penalty

Puka Nacua faced disciplinary action after an altercation with linebacker Tyrel Dodson player during last week's game against the Seattle Seahawks. The Los Angeles Rams star wideout was targeted on a pass just before the end of the second half that ended up being intercepted by cornerback Tariq Woolen.

Following the play, Nacua got into a scuffle with Dodson and threw a punch at him, leading to his ejection.

On Saturday, the league office announced that Nacua would have to pay a $5,424 fine for the punch.

After the game, he said:

"There were some things said earlier in the game and just letting my emotions get the best of me and reacting instead of responding... I knew the play was down, and he just had some hands on me while I was trying to get blocked off. So, I was just making sure I could defend myself and get ready to see whatever was happening for the next play."

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Puka Nacua talks about ejection

Despite his ejection, Puka Nacua does not intend to tone down his competitive edge. When asked by reporters on Friday, when the amount of his fine had yet to be determined, whether his ejection would cause him to back off from confronting defenders, he said:

“I don’t think so... It’s nice to get back in there and be like everybody’s willing to hit. Just being a little bit extra aware of some of the thoughts after the play where people are like, ‘I’m going to take my opportunity.’”

"It was just a natural reaction," he added. “That was one thing that Coach [Sean] McVay always talks about is there are going to be ups and downs, but it’s how you respond to those moments that makes it and it will define you."

Even so, Puka Nacua is determined to stay aggressive on the field, always fighting for the ball:

"Being able to learn from something like that, but then also being like I come from a tough background and I’m never going to feel like somebody’s trying to enforce their will. Outside the whistle, I’m going to make sure I stand on my ground."

The Rams play the Miami Dolphins this Monday. Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC.