When Cooper Kupp suffered a hamstring injury before the season, many around the Los Angeles Rams organization thought all was lost. How would the Rams and, most notably, QB Matthew Stafford get by without his on-field BFF and best receiver for at least the first four weeks of the season?
The Rams sit a 2-2 and have continued to find success, only instead of Kupp, the team has focused its passing attack on Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell. Many question whether Nacua’s role in the Rams’ offense is sustainable. How soon will we find out? Kupp has served his mandatory four weeks on the PUP list and is now eligible to return.
When Will Kupp Return to the Rams?
Kupp can return to the Rams’ offense as early as this week. The team has been cautious with its Pro Bowl-caliber receiver, and all signs point to Kupp returning for the Rams’ Week 5 tilt against the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Latest update on Cooper Kupp (hamstring), per @DMRussini:
• Rams want him 80-90% healthy; don't feel he's there just yet
• Team remains hopeful he'll play in Week 5
• Injury wasn't as bad as initially thought
• Team will be conservative with himhttps://t.co/xl7DJUP5WR— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL)
Head coach Sean McVay has sounded confident Kupp would return when first eligible. Hamstring injuries can be tricky and re-aggravate at any time, so if we see Kupp on a football field this weekend, we can be sure the medical staff gave him a clean bill of health.
On Wednesday, October 4, head coach Sean McVay revealed that the team had officially opened the 21-day practice window for Kupp to return.
Rams opened the 21-day practice window for WR Cooper Kupp.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
How Will Kupp Impact the Rams Offense?
Kupp is to the Rams offense what John Lennon was to The Beatles. The team’s offense flows through him, as it should. The former first-team All-Pro produced at an amazing rate since Stafford was acquired in a trade with the Detroit Lions, and the Stafford-Kupp connection has been second to none since the QB arrived in Los Angeles.
Puka Nacua managers seeing Cooper Kupp coming off of IR
pic.twitter.com/e7ztU3x670— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy)
Expect Kupp to assume his #1 target duties immediately. He isn’t taking a back seat to anyone in the Rams’ offense, no matter how well they have performed in 2023. Stafford knows where his top target will be at all times, and that type of chemistry is priceless in today’s NFL.
How Will Kupp Impact Puka Nacua?
Nacua will no longer be the alpha in the Rams’ passing attack. It’s as simple as that. Does this mean Nacua won’t have a role? Absolutely not. Nacua has earned his spot as an every-down receiver in L.A. The 2023 fifth-round pick is on a blistering pace we have never seen from a rookie receiver, but naturally, Kupp’s return will negatively impact Nacua’s production.
MORE: Should You Trade Puka Nacua in Fantasy?
The Rams throw the ball as much as any team in the league, and with a lack of a sustainable running game, there are enough targets to go around. As such, Nacua will still be a threat. The rookie receiver will receive less defensive attention as teams attempt to take away Kupp. Both players can thrive together, but how soon that will be remains to be seen.
