The Los Angeles Rams have dealt with a ton of injuries throughout the 2024 NFL season, but as they enter their Week 8 Thursday Night Football matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, they might be getting several key contributors back in their lineup.
Below is their injury report after their final practice on Wednesday afternoon. Be sure to check the Vikings vs. Rams inactives for the very latest ahead of kickoff.
Cooper Kupp, WR
Week 8 Status: PLAYING
Kupp has been sidelined due to an ankle injury, but he will make his return in Week 8 against the Vikings.
The Thursday night kickoff gives him the benefit of a mini-bye heading into Week 9 (at Seattle) to make sure his body reacts as expected.
It should go without saying that Kupp is a starter for you the second the Rams activate him. Even if there is a discussion of a snap count, his value for Los Angeles increases the closer they get to paydirt, making him a good bet to see snaps when fantasy points are imminent.
The Vikings have allowed opposing WR1s to catch a touchdown pass in three straight games (Jayden Reed, Garrett Wilson, and Amon-Ra St. Brown last week). While Puka Nacua is also back, Kupp seems more likely to be at full strength.
Puka Nacua, WR
Updated on Thursday, October 24 at 7:00 PM ET
Puka Nacua is officially active for the Week 8 matchup vs. the Vikings.
Updated on Thursday, October 24 at 4:30 PM ET
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Rams activated WR Puka Nacua off injured reserve with the idea that they plan to play him tonight. They won’t decide until pregame warmups how much he can play, but the plan is to play him.
Nacua has been out since Week 1 due to a knee injury, but he is making a surprise return against the Vikings. He is officially active for tonight’s game, although it’s unclear how much he’ll play.
Also, it comes in a difficult spot. Not only is Kupp seemingly closer to full strength, thus shifting Nacua down the target hierarchy in an offense that already ranks middle of the pack in pass rate over expectation, but this matchup is prohibitive.
Puka Nacua gets 181 yards! Most rookie receiving yards ever in a playoff game.
(via NFL)pic.twitter.com/jQk6FiiyoB
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 15, 2024
Through seven weeks, the Vikings are a top-five defense in passer rating, TD/INT ratio, and points allowed per drive. With Kyren Williams soaking up the usage in close and Kupp projected to vacuum in the short-to-intermediate targets as he normally does, Nacua carries as much risk as reward into this matchup.
The odds are good, given the state of the position, that you don’t have the luxury of playing another option. You’re simply hoping for the best from a health standpoint. I have Nacua labeled as a low-end WR2 who is unlikely to see his typical target.
Neville Gallimore, NT
Week 8 Status: QUESTIONABLE
Gallimore injured his shoulder during last week’s 20-15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
He missed practice on Monday, but he was a limited participant in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.
This season, Gallimore has appeared in six games and recorded 16 tackles (five solo and 11 assisted).
Jordan Whittington, WR
Week 8 Status: OUT
During the Rams’ Week 5 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Whittington looked like the Rams’ WR1, catching seven passes for 89 yards. However, he also suffered a shoulder injury during the contest, and it has now caused him to miss two games.
He’s listed as out for tonight’s game against the Vikings. Whittington was forced to step up with Nacua and Kupp sidelined, recording 18 catches for 201 yards in six games. Once Kupp and Nacua are back, he’ll likely return to the WR3 or WR4 role on the Rams.
Troy Reeder, ILB
Week 8 Status: OUT
After not being able to practice all week due to a hamstring injury, Reeder was ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Vikings. This is his first missed game of the season.
The 30-year-old has appeared in six games this year, recording 46 total tackles (26 solo and 20 assisted) as well as a pass deflection.
It remains to be seen how long Reeder will be sidelined, but he’ll have some extra time to recover thanks to the Rams’ 10-day break between games.
Joe Noteboom, OL
Week 8 Status: OUT
Noteboom and Nacua both got hurt in Week 1, with the former suffering a high ankle sprain that led to a stint on injured reserve. The Rams opened his 21-day practice window on Oct. 16, and he has been progressing ever since.
Noteboom was actually a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, but the Rams ultimately decided to give him one more week of rest before bringing him back.
It seems likely that Noteboom will be activated in Week 9 when the Rams face the Seattle Seahawks.
