Rams WR Cooper Kupp does individual drills at practice
LOS ANGELES — Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who has been out since Sept. 16 with an ankle injury, participated in individual drills during Wednesday’s practice, before moving off to the side of the field to do a workout with vice president of sports medicine Reggie Scott.
During the portion of practice open to media, Kupp ran routes with quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing to him. He went in motion prior to the snap and was able to make cuts back to the ball.
Speaking to reporters prior to practice, head coach Sean McVay said he was unsure whether Kupp’s involvement would qualify as a partial practice participant or if he would still be categorized as “did not practice”.
But the coach left open the door for Kupp playing in Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) after missing the past three games with his ankle sprain.
“There’s a possibility that he’ll play, but we’ll see how today goes,” McVay said. “He’s trending in the right direction, but we’ll see exactly what that means as the week progresses.”
Kupp did not participate in Wednesday’s walkthrough beyond mental reps on the sidelines. He has participated in all team and position group meetings as the Rams (1-4) prepare to face the Raiders.
The receiver, who caught 18 of 27 targets for 147 yards and a touchdown in the first six quarters of the season before suffering his injury, had a workout Monday with Scott that McVay deemed as important for determining Kupp’s status for the rest of the week.
“It went good; he’s feeling good. The important thing is and what we’ve got to dictate and determine is, ‘Is he going to be ready to play like Cooper Kupp’s capable of playing?’” McVay said. “This will be the first time that you’re able to do real football-like movements in some of the individual settings.”
This is the third straight season since he won Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 that Kupp has seen his season affected by injury. His 2022 campaign was cut short by a high ankle sprain that required surgery. Just as he was getting back on the field from that procedure, he pulled his hamstring during the 2023 training camp. He missed the first four games of the season, and never appeared to fully find his footing.
Now the Rams wait to see if Kupp can return and provide a boost to their lagging passing attack, which is producing negative-0.016 expected points added (EPA) per dropback.
McVay said he would be comfortable with Kupp playing Sunday if he only practices Thursday and Friday, though how much he is able to practice this week could impact the receiver’s role in Week 7. And there are still some physical milestones to hit to prove he’s ready to play.
“Some of the short-area movements, some of the things that are necessary as far as being engaged as part of the blocking surface or to be able to work edges on people as a receiver,” McVay said. “I think some of it too is even just when you’re connected with somebody and it’s a lean or press away, what does that feel like? Just the overall twitch, the overall strength and power with some of the movements that we’ll ask of him.”
Notes
The Rams opened the 21-day practice window for offensive lineman Joe Noteboom, who has missed the past four games on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain. Noteboom was limited Wednesday.
Wide receiver Jordan Whittington (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.
The Rams signed receiver and punt returner Xavier Smith to the active roster from the practice squad Wednesday. Smith was called up for each of the last three games to serve as punt returner.