The Los Angeles Rams are expected to wait until Sunday to determine if star wide receiver Cooper Kupp will return from his ankle injury, as per coach Sean McVay. Kupp was listed as questionable on Friday for the Rams’ home game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Super Bowl 56 MVP hasn’t played since Week 2, and the Rams currently sit at 1-4.
Kupp, who practiced on a limited basis after the team’s bye week, had 18 receptions in the first two games of the season, despite injuring his ankle during a heavy loss to Arizona. “He’s had a good week,” McVay stated from the team’s Woodland Hills training facility. “He’s making good progress, and there’s a chance he could be ready.”
Since the 2021-22 season, Kupp has appeared in just 23 of the Rams’ 39 games. That season, he led the league in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, earning the receiving triple crown and shining in the postseason, where he was named MVP of the Rams’ Super Bowl victory over Cincinnati.
McVay also highlighted the challenge of managing two games in five days on the artificial turf at SoFi Stadium when assessing Kupp’s readiness. After the Raiders game, the Rams face the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.
“Kupp has been vocal about how the turf feels compared to natural grass,” McVay added. “We haven’t discussed specifics, but with two games at SoFi in a short time, we’re considering that. He looks good running routes, but how will he feel in live, contact situations?”
The Rams have struggled without their top two receivers for the past month, posting the worst start in McVay’s eight-year tenure. Rookie Puka Nacua injured his knee in Week 1 and remains on injured reserve. Backup offensive lineman Joe Noteboom is also unlikely to return this week after injuring his ankle in the season opener. However, rookie receiver Jordan Whittington is expected to play, despite dealing with a shoulder injury.
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