The Los Angeles Rams are getting a big part of their offense back for their Thursday Night Football matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Cooper Kupp.
The All-Pro wideout is returning after missing the previous five weeks due to a high ankle sprain. He should boost a Rams wide receiver corps that has been limited to Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell and rookie Jordan Whittington over the last month.
The team has also been without Pro Bowl wide receiver Puka Nacua since Week 1 when he suffered a knee injury. However, they designated him to return from injured reserve earlier this week and have a 21-day window to activate him.
It was believed that Nacua would need at least another week or two before returning, but the 23-year-old will be on the field when the Rams take on the Vikings, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:
The #Rams have made it official, activating star WR Puka Nacua from Injured Reserve and he’ll play tonight against the #Vikings. pic.twitter.com/EEVpWjhXqs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 24, 2024
While it was expected that Kupp would return, the Rams have to be thrilled that they’ll also be getting back Nacua for a pivotal home game against the Vikings.
Nacua is coming off a historic rookie season where he broke multiple receiving records and established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the league.
The fortunate development couldn’t come at a better time as the Rams are entering a critical part of their schedule. With a 2-4 record, the team has little room for error if they want to turn their season around.
If the Rams’ slide continues, they could ultimately become sellers ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Cooper Kupp not focused on trade rumors
Cooper Kupp is among the players who could be on the move if a team meets the Rams’ asking price and while he is aware of that, it is not where his focus lies.
“Yeah, I’m aware of it but at the end of the day I’m going to be where my feet are. That’s all I know,” Kupp said.
“I have a job to do here and I take a lot of pride in giving everything I can for the guys in this building and being able to step on the field knowing that I’ve prepared the best that I can.
“For seven-and-a-half-years I’ve been a L.A. Ram and I’ve taken that approach every single day. Whatever happens outside of that, I have to control what I can control. Right now, that means being the best L.A. Ram that I can be and I’m going do that.”
