The Los Angeles Rams are set to get a big part of their offense back on Thursday as Cooper Kupp is expected to return after missing the previous five weeks due to a high ankle sprain.
Kupp 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.
Puka Nacua is still sidelined with a right PCL injury, but he was designated to return from injured reserve on Tuesday and should be back in the next couple of weeks.
With the Rams currently sitting at 2-4, they have little room for error if they want to turn their season around. If the Rams’ slide continues, they could ultimately become sellers at the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
There has already been reports that the Rams are fielding calls on Kupp and hope to receive a second-round draft pick in any potential deal.
Kupp admitted that he is aware of the situation but only wants to focus on the Rams at this time. “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.”
Since winning the receiving triple crown in 2021, Kupp has been limited to just 23 games over the last three seasons due to injury.
Because of his injury history, it would not be surprising to see Kupp get moved at the deadline if a team is willing to meet the Rams’ asking price.
However, if the Rams are able to string a couple of wins together before the deadline, they could ultimately hold on to Kupp and attempt a playoff run.
Which teams could trade for Cooper Kupp?
The Kansas City Chiefs were most prominently linked to Cooper Kupp before acquiring DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday morning.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Giants and New England Patriots have also been connected to Kupp, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could emerge as a potential suitor in the wake of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin suffering injuries in their last game.
