The Los Angeles Rams have been hit hard with injuries to start the new NFL season. They have lost multiple offensive linemen, some defenders, and both of their star wide receivers.
It hasn’t been the ideal start for a team that entered the year with playoff hopes and Super Bowl dreams. Los Angeles sits with an 0-2 record after the first two weeks and they have a matchup with the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers this weekend.
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Losing both of their star wide receivers may be the toughest of the injuries suffered, with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp suffering injuries in back-to-back weeks. However, unlike Nacua, Kupp wasn’t placed on injured reserve in a surprising development.
Rams head coach Sean McVay weighed in on this decision and hinted that Kupp could return before the minimum four games he would have been out for.
“…but there’s a chance just based on where our bye is … that he could get back before those four games.”
Los Angeles has their bye week in Week 6, which would be four weeks from when Kupp suffered his injury. If he can recover enough before then, he could only end up missing three games or less, making a stay on the injured reserve somewhat pointless.
“We don’t necessarily need that [roster] spot,” McVay said Wednesday. “So because of the amount of injuries that we have, if there is a chance … neither one of those other two that we put on would’ve ever been able to be back before that four games … so for us, that was kind of what went into not necessarily putting [Kupp] on there yet.”
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 15: Wide receiver Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 41-10. Kupp wasn’t placed on injured reserve.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
If the Rams can get Kupp back after the bye week, it would be a massive boost to this team. Before his injury, Kupp was looking very similar to the player who helped Los Angeles win the Super Bowl during the 2021 season.
Kupp has racked up 18 catches for 147 yards and one touchdown through two games this season, leaving early in the second contest. Kupp is one of the main engines that makes the Rams offense click so losing him for any extended amount of time is a detriment to their playoff chances.
Things seem fairly bleak for Los Angeles right now but they have the talent to withstand these injuries. But for now, it’s all about focusing on the 49ers and trying to grab an upset win this weekend.
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