In Week 1, the Los Angeles Rams were dealt a huge blow when Puka Nacua exited their game against the Detroit Lions after suffering a PCL sprain that required a stint on the IR list, meaning he’ll miss at least the next four weeks.
Well, the Rams’ bad luck continued in Week 2. During their loss against the Arizona Cardinals, they lost their other star wide receiver, Cooper Kupp, after he suffered an ankle injury. What is the latest on Kupp’s injury?
What Happened to Cooper Kupp?
Kupp left the field on Sunday near the end of the second quarter. His left ankle appeared to get rolled on by Cardinals defender Jalen Thompson. Kupp received attention from the Rams’ medical staff and was spotted running around on the sidelines. He returned for one offensive play before halftime but didn’t look entirely comfortable.
The Rams initially listed Kupp as doubtful, and then he didn’t return.
Kupp hauled in four catches for 37 yards in the first half. He was the only Rams player with more than two receptions.
Per Sports Injury Central, Kupp suffered a left eversion ankle sprain. While he has had previous issues with each ankle, the professionals at SIC do not believe he will be placed on IR or miss multiple games.
According to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, Kupp was wearing a walking boot on his left foot and lower leg as he left the locker room after the Rams’ loss.
On Monday, McVay announced that Kupp will be sidelined for “an extended period of time.” Kupp is a candidate to go on injured reserve, which would cost him at least four games. McVay’s comments suggested that the veteran pass catcher is at risk of missing further time beyond that four-game minimum.
Assuming the Cooper Kupp injury occurred here.
Could be Left high ankle mechanism as the defender rolls through his planted ankle. He limped off, but eventually returned to the game. Something to monitor. pic.twitter.com/pigTs9rPlR— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 15, 2024
The Rams placed Nacua (knee) on injured reserve last week. He’ll miss at least four games, but McVay said the second-year WR could be sidelined beyond that. This lines up with a recent report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, which indicated that Nacua will be out closer to five-to-seven weeks. It’s worth noting that the Rams have a Week 6 bye, so the earliest that Nacua can come back is in Week 7.
Kupp should have been Matthew Stafford’s unquestioned WR1 with Nacua out. In the Rams’ Week 1 loss to the Lions, Kupp finished with 14 catches on 21 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown with Nacua sidelined for the second half.
Without Kupp for the rest of Week 2, the Rams were down to DeMarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell, and Jordan Whittington at wide receiver.
Los Angeles has battled injury issues early in the 2024 NFL season. In addition to Nacua, the Rams also sent offensive linemen Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom to IR last week. McVay and Co. face the San Francisco 49ers in a critical NFC West matchup in Week 3, followed by a road game against the Chicago Bears in Week 4.
INJURY TRACKER: Stay Up-To-Date on the Latest NFL Injuries
Kupp has a lengthy injury history. In 2023, Kupp battled a summer hamstring strain and spent the first four games of the year on injured reserve. He suffered another sprained ankle in Week 11 but returned to play the following week. In 2022, he suffered an ankle sprain that knocked him out for the remainder of the season in Week 10.
Even during his breakout 2021 that saw him lead the NFL in all three major receiving categories, Kupp played with a knee bruise that occurred in the opening round playoff win over the Cardinals. But his most significant injury arrived in 2018 when he suffered a season-ending ACL tear on Nov. 11. The Rams advanced to Super Bowl LIII, but Kupp wasn’t able to play in the game, which Los Angeles lost to the New England Patriots 13-3.
This latest injury is frustrating, as it finally seemed like Kupp was returning to form. Let’s hope Kupp and the Rams get good news when the wide receiver undergoes tests tomorrow.
Fantasy Waiver Wire Advice for Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson
Nacua is already on IR and expected to miss anywhere from 5-to-7 weeks. That immediately elevates both Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson into starting roles in three-receiver sets.
The bad news for the Rams got worse on Sunday, as Kupp sprained the same ankle he had problems with last season and did not return. If Kupp can’t play next week, the Rams would be looking at Robinson and Johnson as their top two receivers.
While neither did anything of note against the Cardinals, that was a weird game that was non-competitive from very early on. Matthew Stafford has to throw to someone. Both are worth speculative adds.
Potential Trade Targets at WR for the Rams
With both Kupp and Nacua injured, the Rams may consider trading for a wide receiver. Here are some possible options Los Angeles could target.
DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans
If you look at Hopkins’ stats over the last few seasons, you can conclude that he is still an impact receiver. With this trade, Matthew Stafford would be the best quarterback Hopkins has played with in his career.
He may be on the north side of 30 years old, but Hopkins had 75 catches last year with over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns.
Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
We’ve seen the Rams make blockbuster trades over the last few years, including trading for Stafford, so you can’t rule out general manager Les Snead making a deal for Davante Adams.
One of the NFL’s best wide receivers, Adams has four straight seasons with 100+ receptions and 1,100+ yards.