Los Angeles Rams star receiver Cooper Kupp is “day to day” with a lateral sprain in his right ankle, coach Sean McVay said Monday.
Kupp left Sunday’s 17-16 win against the Seattle Seahawks shortly before halftime and did not return, though at one point believed he might be able to do so, and stayed on the sideline with his helmet and cleats on.
McVay did not rule out Kupp for Sunday’s game at the Arizona Cardinals.
“That was positive news for us,” said McVay. “I think (playing on Sunday is) the goal. I know he’s going to do everything in his power. I think it’s definitely favorable where that’s a real possibility that he would be available. That’s not something where you’re saying he’s definitely gonna be out for this week. You want to see the functionality. I know that his mindset was encouraged based on how it felt today, based on some of the results of what the scans and different things like that showed, and then his willingness to attack this and put himself in a position to be available for the team.”
Kupp missed most of training camp, and then the first four games of the regular season with a hamstring injury. He also missed the end of the 2022 season with a high ankle sprain, which was repaired using the tightrope procedure.
“You feel for Cooper,” said McVay. “Nobody wants to be out there as much as he does. It’s been unfortunate things that have led to him not being available, whether it was injuries last year – he didn’t want to get rolled up on (Sunday) on a toss-crack play where he’s doing a great job blocking a defensive end. Had some setbacks (overall). Feel for him, first and foremost. When he’s out there, we all know what a unique and special player that he is.”
In six active games this season, Kupp, the NFL’s Triple Crown winner in 2021, has 24 catches for 375 yards and a touchdown.
McVay also said that the Rams expect to get running back Kyren Williams (ankle) back from injured reserve this week.
Other injuries from Sunday, per McVay: Receiver Puka Nacua “banged his shoulder up a little bit” and is day to day. Cornerback Cobie Durant is still recovering from a shoulder stinger but McVay said he’s hopeful Durant will return this week. Center Coleman Shelton “got his ankle banged up a little bit, but he should be good, but he’ll be day to day,” receiver Ben Skowronek suffered a hip pointer and safety Quentin Lake has hamstring soreness.
If the injury situations with any of the listed receivers worsen, McVay praised receiver/return specialist Austin Trammell and receiver Demarcus Robinson as two lesser-utilized players who could sub in, and have experience practicing in multiple receiving positions in this offense.
(Photo: Robert Hanashiro / USA Today)
