Could Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp Make Season Debut vs. Eagles?
A banged-up Philadelphia Eagles secondary will already have their work cut out trying to contain star rookie Puka Nacua Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. And things may be about to get even more difficult for defensive coordinator Sean Desai and company.
The Rams opened the 21-day practice window for former Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp to return from injured reserve Wednesday. That doesn't necessarily mean that Kupp will play in the Week 5 matchup against the Eagles, but it's a positive development for coach Sean McVay and the Rams, who were without their top wideout for the first month of the season as he battled a hamstring injury.
In fact, The Athletic's Diana Russini reports that Kupp "is pushing to play against the Eagles." She also adds that the hamstring injury the 30-year-old has been dealing with "was not as serious (in terms of long-term) as initially feared."
Kupp had one of the greatest single seasons in 2021, his first year paired with quarterback Matthew Stafford. He led the NFL in catches (145), receiving yards (1,947) and touchdown receptions (16), before eventually taking home Super Bowl LVI MVP.
Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp could return vs. the Philadelphia Eagles this week.
USA Today
An ankle injury limited Kupp to nine games in 2022, but he was still very productive when on the field. In just over half a season, Kupp hauled in 75 passes for 812 yards, a pace that would have put him in the All-Pro discussion if he had stayed healthy.
What's scary for an Eagles secondary that's likely lost slot cornerback Avonte Maddox for the season is that Kupp is no longer a one-man-band at receiver for the Rams. The aforementioned Nacua has burst onto the scene with staggering production -- 39 catches for 501 yards -- in his first four NFL games. If Kupp is healthy, he and Nacua could form one of the most dominant receiver duos in the sport.
The Eagles are currently listed as 4.5 point road favorites at So-Fi Stadium Sunday, but if the Rams are able to get Kupp back, that line could shorten and Philadelphia could be in for a tough road battle against a 2-2 Los Angeles team.
