Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay delivered worrying news after Sunday’s 41-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, announcing that 31-year-old wide receiver Cooper Kupp will be sidelined following an ankle injury. Kupp, a critical part of the Rams’ offense, injured his left ankle in the second quarter and did not return for the remainder of the game.
In his postgame press conference, McVay acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Kupp’s condition. “I don’t have a clear update on the severity,” McVay stated. “He had a boot on his left foot after the game, which is always concerning.” The injury happened during Kupp’s fourth reception, a 24-yard catch-and-run, where he was seen limping off the field toward the locker room before halftime.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford also expressed his concerns, saying, “[Kupp] made a great play, but he was limping afterward. He usually shakes things off quickly, but this one seemed different. We’ll just have to wait and see. He’s such a huge part of our offense.”
Kupp’s absence is a major blow to the Rams’ offense, especially with the team already missing rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is on injured reserve due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in Week 1. In Kupp’s short time on the field, he registered four catches for 37 yards on six targets, bringing his season totals to 18 catches for 147 yards and one touchdown.
With Kupp out, the Rams’ remaining receiving corps consists of Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell, and rookie Jordan Whittington. Their offense has struggled without its key weapons, with Stafford failing to throw a touchdown pass for the first time since Week 1 of the 2023 season. His 15-game streak of consecutive starts with a passing touchdown, second-longest in the NFL behind Kirk Cousins, was snapped.
The loss marked the Rams’ second consecutive defeat, leaving them 0-2 for the first time under McVay’s leadership. The 31-point blowout is also the second-largest margin of defeat since McVay took over as head coach. McVay reflected on the team’s struggles, saying, “They outplayed us in every phase of the game. There’s nothing positive to take away. We didn’t give ourselves a chance from the start, and that’s on me.”
The Rams’ defense, once anchored by future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald—who retired in March—has allowed 67 points over the first two games of the season, one of the worst starts in franchise history. Against the Cardinals, they gave up 489 yards of total offense, including a staggering 231 rushing yards.
Despite the disappointing start, McVay vowed to lead by example and find solutions. “This isn’t a position you want to be in as a competitor, but I’m not going to sit around and pout. I’m going to figure out how we can respond, and you’ll see that reflected in how our guys play.”
As the Rams grapple with injuries and early-season struggles, all eyes will be on the recovery of their star wide receiver, Cooper Kupp, whose health will be critical for any hopes of turning their season around.
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