Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is dealing with a sprained ankle he suffered during Sunday's 41-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Kupp will be in a cast for at least the next week to help minimize swelling before beginning rehab. The good news for the Rams is that head coach Sean McVay said the injury will not be season-ending and will not require surgery. Kupp also will not be placed on injured reserve, as it remains a possibility he returns in the next four weeks. (The Rams have a bye week in Week 6.)
McVay said Monday that Kupp was expected to miss “an extended period of time” but did not set a specific timetable for his return.
“I don’t want to put any expectations on him, I know he’ll want to get back as soon as possible, but I don’t want to put any unnecessary expectations on him,” McVay said. “He’s going to do everything he can to get back, whenever that is.”
Kupp sprained his left ankle while being tackled during the game against the Cardinals. He was helped off the field but walked to the locker room without assistance, though he limped noticeably.
After the game, Kupp was seen wearing a walking boot on his left leg as he left the locker room.
Before leaving, Kupp had four receptions for 37 yards. In the Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions, he caught 14 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Kupp's injury leaves the Rams without their top two receivers. Puka Nacua is expected to be sidelined for 5-7 weeks after suffering a posterior cruciate ligament sprain in his right knee against Detroit and being placed on injured reserve.
With Kupp and Nacua out, Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson take over as the Rams' top receivers. Robinson has six receptions for 11 yards this season, while Johnson has seven catches for 99 yards.
This will be the third consecutive season that Kupp has missed playing time due to injury. Last season, he missed the first four games of the season due to a hamstring strain. In 2022, Kupp suffered a high ankle sprain that limited him to nine games.
When healthy and able to play in all 17 games in 2021, Kupp had a spectacular campaign in which he led the NFL with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Rams (0-2) will host the San Francisco 49ers (1-1) in Week 3 on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
