Because the Rams come out of their off week, they’ll play the struggling Las Vegas Raiders and the presently unbeaten Minnesota Vikings within the span of 5 days.
Will injured star receiver Cooper Kupp return towards one or each?
That’s maybe the overarching query for the Rams as they try to rebound from a 1-4 begin.
Kupp, 31, has been sidelined the final three video games due to an ankle harm. On Wednesday, he didn’t observe however went by means of particular person drills, growing exercise that started Monday.
Coach Sean McVay continued to say there was a “possibility” that Kupp would play towards the Raiders on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
“He’s trending in the right direction,” McVay stated earlier than observe, “but we’ll see exactly what that means as the week progresses.”
With out Kupp and injured receiver Puka Nacua, McVay has been hamstrung as a play-caller, and quarterback Matthew Stafford has been with out two of the NFL’s most dynamic play-makers.
The Rams rank 18th within the NFL in scoring (24 factors per recreation), Sixteenth in offense (324 yards per recreation) and twelfth in passing (226.6 yards per recreation).
Kupp, the 2021 NFL offensive participant of the 12 months, has been stricken by accidents for two-plus seasons.
In 2022, he performed in solely 9 video games earlier than struggling a season-ending ankle harm. Final season, he suffered a hamstring harm throughout coaching camp that landed him on injured reserve for 4 video games. When he returned, he struggled at instances to play by means of an ankle harm.
Kupp gave the impression to be absolutely recovered going into this season. He caught 14 passes for 110 yards and a landing towards the Detroit Lions in a season-opening extra time defeat however was injured in a Week 2 rout by the Arizona Cardinals.
The Rams’ Puka Nacua (17) is tackled by Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) in Week 1, when the receiver injured his knee and landed on the injured reserve checklist.
(NurPhoto / NurPhoto through Getty Photos)
Nacua was already on injured reserve due to a knee harm suffered towards the Lions. Though Kupp was not placed on injured reserve, the Rams have been hopeful each would return by the point the Rams got here out of the off week.
Whereas Kupp has returned to the sphere for work with trainers, McVay stated Monday that Nacua stays “a ways away.”
So the Rams are evaluating whether or not Kupp can face up to the motion and phone required for a participant who’s instrumental as a pass-catcher and blocker.
“What we’ve got to dictate and determine is, ‘All right, is he going to be ready to play like Cooper Kupp’s capable of playing?’” McVay stated.
Will the quick turnaround earlier than the “Thursday Night Football” recreation towards the Vikings issue into whether or not he performs towards the Raiders?
“You’re mindful of that,” McVay stated, “but if he’s going to be ready to go then you want him to play.
“And if not, then we’re hopeful that [next] Thursday would be the day.”
If Kupp returns to observe this week he would have solely two exercises to organize for the Raiders.
McVay indicated that Kupp’s expertise would put together him for a job if he’s bodily succesful. So the results of his work on the sphere Wednesday would offer one other clue.
“If [Wednesday] gives us the confidence that, ‘All right, let’s move forward, let’s give him an uptick in terms of his progression, and there’s a value in terms of what he can provide on Sunday, than that would definitely be something that I would leave the door open for.”
Meantime, Stafford perseveres with out his two high targets.
The Sixteenth-year professional, who suffered again soreness after a 24-19 loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers earlier than the break, stated he was feeling good.
“The bye week came at a decent time for me personally, and some other guys on our team too as far as physical health goes,” Stafford stated. “So I feel better and fresh, like you do most bye weeks coming out of them.”
Stafford has performed lengthy sufficient to not lament the absence of injured play-making receivers.
With Kupp and Nacua sidelined, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and rookie Jordan Whittington have crammed beginning roles.
So Stafford will patiently await Kupp’s return.
“He does everything for us,” Stafford stated. “He blocks. He obviously is great in the pass game. He’s super intelligent, helps everybody around him be better.
“And whenever that happens, we’ll be obviously excited to have him back.”
And so forth.
Offensive lineman Joe Noteboom, who’s on injured reserve due to an ankle harm suffered within the season opener, will start engaged on the sphere with trainers because the Rams open the 21-day window for his return. … Whittington (shoulder) was scheduled to be restricted in observe Wednesday, McVay stated.
