The Los Angeles Rams are back at training camp as they officially begin preparing for the 2023 season. After a disappointing and injury-riddled Super Bowl defense in 2022, they are hoping that some renewed fresh legs and a revamped offensive line can change their fortunes, and this includes superstar wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
Kupp played just nine games in 2022 due to an ankle injury, the fewest he’s played in a season since 2018 when he tore his ACL. He missed the entire second half of the season and was only recently allowed to resume football activities after undergoing offseason surgery, getting healthy just in time for training camp.
Now that Kupp is back in action, he was able to get to know some of his many new teammates while getting back into the swing of an NFL training regimen.
“Yeah, man, it feels good. It feels good, it’s a long time. I think the last time I did that was basically the ACL, coming off the ACL in ‘18 and ‘19,” Kupp said. “So, man, great being back out here playing football again. Yeah, it was crazy. You come back during OTAs and half the team’s brand-new learning people’s faces again, just trying to get names and all that stuff. But man, it’s great to be out here, great energy. These young guys bring a lot of juice. I don’t know much of their references (laughter), but they bring some juice.”
Kupp discussed how things have gone for him physically in the opening days of camp and if he feels like he’s back to his old self.
“Oh, I don’t know. This is my second day running full speed, like competitive stuff. So there’s going to be things… as normal being at camp, things feel fast,” Kupp said. “I feel like they’re just moving a little faster than you’re used to. But man, even just from the first day to second day, things definitely have started to be like, okay, now we’re back into the groove, seeing things and being able to react off them.
“So it’s going to be a process. It’s going to be a process for everyone. It doesn’t matter how long you play this game, you back out here, there’s nothing like playing competitive football. You can’t simulate it, you know? Obviously, I haven’t done it since November, so it’s been a while, but it’ll come back fast.”
Kupp is excited to return to playing competitive football and testing himself on if he truly is back to form.
“I think it’s pretty similar. It’s that same thing I said, you can’t simulate real football. You can’t simulate going against someone, all of a sudden reacting, seeing all the whole field,” Kupp said. “I mean, when you’re running routes as best as you can, you know where you’re running, you’re envisioning what’s happening but you already know what’s going happen.
“The last little piece of it’s just that being able to react and just know your body’s going to respond exactly how you need it to. That happens here. So there’s a piece of that, but man, it happens quick where it’s just you do it a few times and you’re like, all right, we’re good. Move on and just get back to playing football.”
The Rams are certainly excited to have their 2021 Offensive Player of the Year back on the field healthy. He drastically changes the trajectory of what the Rams are able to do, and their ceiling has become significantly higher simply by having him return to the field.
Tyler Higbee feeling better in 2023 than 2022
Another Rams offensive weapon feeling strong physically is tight end Tyler Higbee. The Rams No. 1 tight end since 2019 said he is feeling better to begin this season than he did last season due to various knee injuries.
Hopefully, this translates to a big eighth NFL campaign from the Rams pass-catcher.
