Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is dealing with a severe ankle sprain suffered during Sunday’s 41-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Kupp will be in a cast for at least the next week to minimize swelling before beginning rehabilitation. The good news for the Rams is that head coach Sean McVay said the injury is not season-ending and that surgery is not required. Kupp also will not be placed on the injured list, as it is still possible he could return in the next four weeks. (The Rams have a bye in Week 6.)
McVay said Monday that Kupp was expected to be out for “an extended period of time,” but he did not provide a specific timeline for his return.
“I don’t want to put any expectations on him — I know he wants to get back as soon as possible, but I don’t want to put any expectations or unnecessary things on him,” McVay said. “He’s going to do everything he can to get back, whenever that is.”
Kupp twisted his left ankle when he was tackled during the Cardinals game. He was helped off the field, but walked unassisted to the locker room — albeit with a noticeable limp.
After the game, Kupp was seen leaving the locker room with a running shoe on his left leg.
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 one touchdown.
Kupp’s injury leaves the Rams without their top two receivers. Puka Nacua is expected to be out 5-7 weeks after spraining the PCL in his right knee against Detroit and being placed on the injured list.
With Kupp and Nacua out, Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson take over as the Rams’ top receivers. Robinson has six catches for 11 yards this season, while Johnson has seven receptions for 99 yards.
This is the third season in a row that Kupp has missed time due to injury. Last season, he missed the first four games of the season due to a pulled hamstring. In 2022, Kupp suffered a sprained ankle that limited him to nine games.
Once Kupp was fit again and able to play all 17 games in 2021, he had a spectacular season in which he led the NFL with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Rams (0-2) host the San Francisco 49ers (1-1) in Week 3 on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
