Cooper Kupp is conscious of the thrill concerning the Rams presumably buying and selling him.
However the veteran receiver’s focus Thursday evening can be on returning to the lineup for the primary time since struggling an ankle harm within the second week of the season.
“I’m feeling really good,” Kupp mentioned this week because the Rams ready for his or her recreation in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium.
It stays to be seen whether or not the Rams will transfer on from the 2021 NFL offensive participant of the 12 months by the Nov. 5 NFL commerce deadline — or maintain him if coach Sean McVay’s injury-plagued staff reveals indicators of mounting a turnaround and playoff drive for the second season in a row.
That makes the “Thursday Night Football” matchup in opposition to the Vikings pivotal on a number of fronts.
The Rams are 2-4 after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders final Sunday however now each recreation is sort of a playoff recreation for them.
A victory over the Vikings (5-1), who suffered their first loss in a last-minute defeat to the Detroit Lions, would give the Rams their first back-to-back victories. It additionally would reinforce their perception that they will repeat a 2023 turnaround that noticed them rebound from a 3-6 begin to end 10-7 and make the playoffs.
That in all probability can’t occur except injured gamers proceed to return.
Receiver Puka Nacua participated in two jog-throughs this week and is listed as questionable for Thursday evening, however that looks as if pure gamesmanship. Is McVay going to threat taking part in the second-year professional with out the good thing about full practices?
But when Kupp returns to type — he caught 14 passes for 110 yards and landing within the season opener — and Nacua and offensive linemen Steve Avila, Jonah Jackson and Joe Noteboom ultimately return, mounting a push within the wide-open NFC West continues to be doable.
The Rams and Vikings have a lot in frequent.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was the Rams’ offensive coordinator within the 2021-22 season when he and Matthew Stafford (9) went on to win a Tremendous Bowl.
(Mark J. Terrill / Related Press)
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell served because the Rams’ offensive coordinator throughout their Tremendous Bowl-championship season in 2021. Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips and assistants Thad Bogardus and Chris O’Hara additionally have been members of Sean McVay’s workers.
The Vikings roster consists of a number of former Rams gamers, together with working again Cam Akers, tight finish Johnny Mundt, receiver Brandon Powell and backup quarterback Brett Rypien.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores by no means coached below McVay, however the Rams is not going to neglect their final encounter with an aggressive protection overseen by Flores. In 2020, when he was head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Flores’ protection perplexed and dominated the Rams.
The Vikings are equally aggressive: They’re third within the NFL with 24 sacks.
“The teams that haven’t matched them physicality-wise, that haven’t matched them intensity-wise have been blown out,” Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur mentioned.
So the Rams should shield quarterback Matthew Stafford.
The Raiders hit Stafford 10 occasions, the second recreation in a row that the Sixteenth-year professional absorbed no less than 10 blows.
The quick week didn’t present Stafford — or any Rams or Vikings participant — with a lot time to recuperate.
“I feel pretty good so I’ll be all right,” Stafford mentioned. “At that point, it’s a mind-set. They put the ball down on the tee, kick it off, and I don’t care how you feel, it’s time to go and I know our guys understand that.”
Some gamers embrace the quick turnaround.
“Thursday games are the best because it’s just like, quick install, get everything out there and let’s just go play,” Rams edge rusher Michael Hoecht mentioned. “They’re a lot of fun.”
The Rams protection loved itself in opposition to the Raiders. Cornerback Cobie Durant intercepted a go and compelled a fumble that security Kam Curl returned for a landing. Security Jaylen McCollough intercepted two passes.
“Once you have a little bit of success, now you can go out and start playing a little more free,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula mentioned. “I think that hopefully it’s what’s happened, and hopefully that’s what’s going to continue to happen.”
Kupp seeks the same feeling.
“I don’t like coming off the field,” he mentioned. “I would love to be able to play as much as I possibly could and that’s going to be my mind-set.
“When I’m healthy, I can do it.”
