Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will not be place on the injured reserve list, despite dealing with a high-ankle sprain. Kupp injured his ankle during the Rams’ 41–10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and had to be helped to the locker room. This is the fourth time since the 2022 season that Kupp has dealt with an ankle injury.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted: “#Rams star WR Cooper Kupp suffered a high-ankle sprain in LA’s loss on Sunday, and he’ll spend the next week or so in a cast helping the swelling calm down, sources said. The team did not place him on Injured Reserve, as there is still a chance he’s ready within four weeks.” Following the game, Kupp was seen wearing a walking boot on his left leg as he left the locker room. He will wear a cast for at least the next week to assist in minimizing any swelling before he begins rehab, but will not require surgery.
Rams coach Sean McVay had told reporters Monday that Kupp was expected to miss “an extended period of time…I don’t want to put any expectations on — I know he’s going to want to be back as soon as he can, but I don’t want to put any expectations or unnecessary things on him. He’s going to do everything in his power to get back, whenever that is.” It now appears Kupp now could return in less than four weeks given the Rams’ decision.
Prior to leaving Sunday’s game, Kupp had four receptions for 37 yards. In Week 1’s loss to the Detroit Lions, he caught 14 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown. Kupp’s injury leaves the Rams without their top two receivers, as Puka Nacua is expected to be out 5-7 weeks after sustaining a sprained PCL in his right knee against Detroit, and was placed on injured reserve.
Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson are expected to take over as the Rams’ top receivers in Kupp and Nacua’s absence. Robinson has six catches for 11 yards this season, while Johnson has seven receptions for 99 yards.
The Rams (0–2) host the San Francisco 49ers (1–1) in Week 3 on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
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