The Los Angeles Rams had some opportunities to steal a win on the road but ultimately fell to the Chicago Bears, 24-18, in Week 4.
The team was again short-handed, with Steve Avila, Jonah Jackson, Joe Noteboom, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp among the offensive players sidelined for the game.
Kupp is the only player of the group not currently on injured reserve. However, it was the second consecutive game he missed after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2.
Kupp is now set to miss a third straight game as Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed he will be out for the team’s Week 5 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
The Rams will have their bye the following week so it wouldn’t be surprising if the team is targeting a return for Kupp in the near future. After their bye, the Rams will resume play in Week 7 with a matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The aforementioned players on IR will be eligible to be activated as well, so the Rams could receive several reinforcements in the coming weeks.
Kupp’s ankle injury was nothing short of disappointing as he finally appeared to be fully back after appearing in only 21 games over the past two seasons. He has hauled in 18 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown in two games this year.
With Kupp and Nacua sidelined, the Rams have been relying on a receiving corps that includes Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell and rookie Jordan Whittington.
Rams’ Kyren Williams critical of individual performance against Bears
Kyren Williams was one of the few bright spots in the Rams’ loss to the Bears as he had another big performance with 94 rushing yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. Williams also added 10 yards through the air on four catches.
Williams praised the Rams offensive line for their blocking but was critical of his individual performance, believing he should have had some bigger runs.
Williams’ longest run went for 14 yards, but he averaged 4.9 yards per carry, which was up from the three yards he averaged going into the matchup. Williams said it is on him to do a better job with his cuts and making players miss their tackles.
Williams’ rushing touchdown in the third quarter was his seventh consecutive game with a score, which tied Marshall Faulk for the most since 2000. Through four games, he has rushed for 258 yards on 73 carries with an NFL-high five touchdowns.
