With Cooper Kupp Out With An Injury, What Does It Mean For The Rams?

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will not go on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2. Though he may end up missing four weeks anyway, Rams head coach Sean McVay explained that the team’s Week 6 bye could allow him to return ahead of schedule. In any case, the injury is not season-ending.

“We don’t necessarily need that [roster] spot,” McVay said. “So because of the amount of injuries that we have, if there is a chance … neither one of those other two (guard Jonah Jackson and and safety John Johnson III) that we put on would’ve ever been able to be back before that four games … so for us, that was kind of what went into not necessarily putting [Kupp] on there yet.”

Kupp’s past injury issues led many to believe that he was certainly headed to the IR, with some even worrying that his season was over. Though he may not be back to full speed for some time, it will nevertheless be a relief to the Rams that he could be back within a month’s time. Other setbacks on the roster may make his return necessary for the season ahead.

With young wide receiver Puka Nacua already on the IR, the Rams will be extremely short-staffed on offense for the next month or so. Even with Kupp avoiding a more serious setback, the team will still have to keep the season afloat with other options for a time.

Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is most likely to take on a leading role, as quarterback Matthew Stafford has already established a connection with him after Nacua’s departure. With both top receivers out, Tyler Johnson and tight end Colby Parkinson could also receive more work. The team will also lean more heavily on running back Kyren Williams out of the backfield.