Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp has a confirmed hamstring injury that developed during practice, but fans should be encouraged by his development.
Rams head coach Sean McVay gave reassuring news on Kupp’s injury timeline after the Rams lost their second preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
What We Know About Cooper Kupp’s Latest Injury
The Rams’ coaching staff, including Sean McVay and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, were initially hopeful and expected that Kupp would be ready to start the regular season. But, positive Kupp news came on Sunday Aug. 20.
Sean McVay gave promising news to fans when he spoke in his postgame press conference after the Rams loss to the Raiders in preseason week 2. When asked about Kupp’s potential return, McVay said “Yep, he’ll be back. He and Derion Kendrick will be back out there and able to go this week, so that’s good”
Cooper Kupp walked off the field with trainers midway through practice. Sean McVay said Kupp pulled up during a red zone play. This could be the play here. pic.twitter.com/tfEWhAdMUG
— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) August 2, 2023
The injury came on Aug. 1 when Kupp was running a red-zone route, where he felt “tightness” in his hamstring. McVay continued, “I don’t think it’s anything to be overly concerned with, but [we] want to be able to be smart with him, and I’m hopeful to get him back out here sooner than later.”
LaFleur confirmed that Kupp, after missing practice, had an MRI that confirmed a hamstring problem.
McVay, speaking on Kupp’s potential timeline for Kupp’s return, had initially said that “I’m definitely hopeful by the time we at least have our competitive practices against the Raiders”. McVay he hoped that “[Kupp] is able to get that kind of work” explaining that “I think that is important. Don’t want to rush it. It’s not something that we expect to drag on, but you never know with the soft tissue stuff.”
Kupp missed that timeline with The Rams hosting joint practice sessions with the Raiders prior to their 34-17 loss at SoFi Stadium.
While Kupp may have missed that milestone, it seems likely he will be on the field when the Rams have joint practice sessions with the Denver Broncos ahead of their final preseason game in Denver at Empower Field at Mile High.
Speaking to Andrew Siciliano and Andrew Whitworth during the Rams broadcast against the Raiders, Kupp said “I’m feeling really good, I had a throw around with Matthew [Stafford] a little bit this morning and I felt really good there so looking forward to getting back out there with the guys”
When asked about participating in the joint practice sessions with the Broncos Kupp replied “that’s the plan”
Despite missing the Raiders join practice sessions, McVay will be pleased to have one of his star players returning ahead of the season. Especially as he should still be able to get some work in against the Broncos.
Speaking to the Rich Eisen Show last week Rams legend Andrew Whitworth shared, “For him, it’s about getting healthy. He’s going to be prepared no matter what, but let’s just make sure this hamstring is ready to go Week 1, so I think that is their only focus.”
The latest injury update that Kupp is available to practice gives a great indication that he will be ready for week 1 when the Rams travel to Seattle.
Kupp’s Injury History
Kupp is one of the top receivers in the NFL and was the No. 55 overall player in the PFN Top 100 list.
Kupp had a storming season in 2021, which saw him win Offensive Player of the Year and take home the triple crown, leading the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. That was during the Rams’s Super Bowl-winning season.
The Rams have continued to use Kupp as the focal point of their offense as they transition away from the roster that won them a Super Bowl. So this latest injury is one fantasy managers have been monitoring closely.
This latest setback, of course, comes after Kupp had a season-ending injury in a Week 10 loss to the Cardinals. Kupp had suffered a high ankle sprain that required surgery. Prior to the injury, Kupp had racked up 75 receptions, 812 yards, and six touchdowns.
Kupp has also suffered other injuries, and as his injury history mounts up, it will likely be a concern for the coaching staff.
Kupp had to miss two preseason games in 2017 after suffering a groin injury, but he was ready to play in Week 1.
Kupp then had a number of injuries in 2018, missing two games with a sprained MCL, suffering a concussion in Week 5, and tearing his ACL later in the season, which meant he missed the last six games of the year.
In 2021, Kupp suffered a knee bruise during the Wild Card Game against the Seahawks, causing him to miss the Divisional Round battle with the Packers.
As the list of injuries for Kupp continues to grow, it is bound to give the Rams front office anxiety. It has led to them investing in their receiver room, but without Kupp, the wide receiver room is one of the worst in the NFL.