The Los Angeles Rams started the season without star wide receiver Cooper Kupp and head coach Sean McVay had to figure out how to keep his offense afloat without its top weapon. Kupp has been solid since returning to the field, but now the Rams could be without him again.
Kupp left the Rams’ 17-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks with a sprained ankle. But thankfully, the injury doesn’t look to be a serious one.
“Yeah, it’ll be day-to-day,” McVay said on Monday. “It was just a lateral ankle sprain so that was positive news for us.”
That is undoubtedly a positive sign for Kupp’s long-term health. As for his potential availability this Sunday when the Rams head to Arizona to take on the Cardinals, McVay isn’t quite sure, though he is positive that Kupp will do everything possible to be on the field.
“Not sure. I think that’s the goal,” McVay added. “I know he’s going to do everything in his power, but I think it’s definitely favorable where that’s a real possibility that he would be available. It’s not something where you’re saying he’s definitely going to be out for this week, but 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 if so.”
Obviously the Rams offense is much better when Kupp is on the field. The injuries he has dealt with the last couple of seasons have been unfortunate and McVay feels for his star receiver but also knows the Rams have to figure out how to adjust when he’s out.
“Well, I think the first thing is you feel for Cooper. Nobody wants to be out there as much as he does,” McVay noted. “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 a toss crack play where he is doing a great job blocking a defensive end. Had some setbacks and so feel for him first and foremost.
“When he’s out there we all know what a unique and special player that he is. He brings a great presence to our offense, but we’ve got to be able to continue to adapt and adjust.”
McVay mentioned the likes of Austin Trammell, Ben Skowronek and DeMarcus Robinson as players who have stepped up and contributed and knows if Kupp has to miss more time, they will be needed once again.
