The Los Angeles Rams are already navigating a depleted roster due to significant injuries. That includes missing their top two wide receivers.
After losing sophomore stud Puka Nacua due to a knee injury, veteran Cooper Kupp is also sidelined. What happened to Kupp, and how long will he be out?
What is Cooper Kupp’s Injury?
In Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, Kupp left the field 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. He exited the game and did not return.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp has a walking boot on his left foot/lower leg as he leaves the locker room.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 15, 2024
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.
After the game, McVay announced that Kupp suffered an ankle injury.
How Long Will Kupp Be Out?
Shortly after the injury occurred, McVay said that Kupp would be out “an extended period of time.” Initially, he also said that Kupp was a candidate to be placed on injured reserve, which would sideline him for four games. However, the Rams ultimately decided not to put Kupp on IR.
Still, don’t expect Kupp back this week. On Monday, Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters that Kupp would be out for Sunday’s contest. Ruling him out so early in the week isn’t a great sign.
However, we did get some good news on Wednesday, as Rodrigue reported that Kupp is now out of his cast, and he was working with the strength and conditioning staff to the side of the Rams’ walkthrough.
So, when will Kupp be back in the Rams’ lineup? The fact that the Rams didn’t put Kupp on injured reserve (IR) suggests they think he’ll miss fewer than four games.
Given their decision to leave him off the IR list, our best guess is that Kupp is targeting a Week 7 return when the Rams face the Las Vegas Raiders. After all, Los Angeles’ bye week is in Week 6, so Kupp would be back after sitting out three games.
For Kupp, this latest setback adds to a long list of previous lower body injuries he’s endured.
He began the 2023 season by missing the first four games with a hamstring injury. Kupp missed much of 2022 after sustaining an ankle ailment against the Cardinals in November and inside SoFi Stadium.
Even during his breakout 2021 season that saw him lead the NFL in all three major receiving categories, Kupp operated with a knee bruise that occurred in the Rams’ playoff win over the Cardinals. He managed to play through it and went on to earn Super Bowl LVI Most Valuable Player honors while catching the game-sealing touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.
But his most significant injury arrived in 2018 when he suffered an ACL tear on Nov. 11. Kupp never got the chance to return as the Rams clinched the NFC title in that 2018 season.
Who’s Starting in Kupp’s Absence?
With both Nacua and Kupp sidelined, the Rams will be relying on Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, and Tutu Atwell as their starting wide receivers. Here’s a breakdown of each wideout’s fantasy outlook entering Week 4.
Demarcus Robinson Fantasy Outlook
Robinson has seemingly distanced himself from the pack in Los Angeles, as he logged a 90% snap share in consecutive weeks. Of course, the value of that role is in question with Matthew Stafford determined to spread the ball around to keep defenses guessing.
If I had to take a chance on a receiver in this offense, it would be Robinson, but it’s simply a bet on playing time. I don’t have any confidence in this passing game in any matchup right now, let alone EPA’s third-best defense since the midway point of last season.
Tyler Johnson and Tutu Atwell Fantasy Outlook
Atwell made the big play last week (50-yard gain) and has seven catches over the past two weeks after being a no-show in the season opener when this roster was near full strength; meanwhile, Johnson has a pair of end-zone looks and has more receptions (10) than Atwell has targets (nine) this season.
If you’re playing in an ultra-deep league, I want the more physically gifted Johnson (four-inch height edge).
However, this game profiles as a Kyren Williams special. If that’s the case, it’s very possible that this offense doesn’t produce a top-35 receiver this weekend.