Injury Update: Rams Prepared to Operate without Cooper Kupp
The Los Angeles Rams will attempt to start fresh this week with the kickoff a new season on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, but perhaps the biggest root cause of last year's dismal 5-12 record is already rearing its ugly head.
Los Angeles battled injuries seemingly from the start of training camp last year, with coach Sean McVay pointing to the shortened offseason after winning the Super Bowl as the primary reason.
But now, with a full eight months between regular season games, the Rams are back to facing questions about health - and more specifically, that of star receiver Cooper Kupp.
After missing the final eight games of last season with a high ankle sprain, Kupp entered this year with hopes of not only staying healthy but proving he was still one of the game's best receivers.
Now, it appears the latter goal may be put on hold ... because of the former. Kupp is scheduled to see a specialist this week for the calf injury that's limited him throughout training camp, with McVay noting the Rams will know much more about the intricacies of his injury after the results come back.
But Los Angeles doesn't necessarily have a wealth of time at its disposal, with the need to build a game plan ahead of the fast-approaching season opener taking top priority.
There's no question things get easier for the Rams if Kupp is out there ... but in McVay's mind, there's also no question that his team is well-prepared even without the former Triple Crown winner, as they received live experience last season and spent much of training camp in the same position.
“We’re more ready for it coming off that," McVay said. "We're not going to get caught up in things that are outside of our control. I'm not doing that. We're not going to do it. We're going to control the things that we can control and we're going to really operate in the present and do the best we can to prepare."
McVay added that he feels badly for Kupp, first and foremost, and empathizes with his situation. Life certainly gets easier for all parties if the 2017 third-round pick is able to take the field in Seattle.
But while the Rams await official word on Kupp's status, McVay is focused on building real confidence in the receivers room based on preparation and work ethic, a process that started a long time ago ... and was heavily shaped by Kupp's extended absence last year.
"I think last year's perspective and awareness is going to be beneficial to apply the way that you want to respond and not feeling sorry for yourself," McVay said. "I've got a lot of confidence and if guys do need to step up, that's what we're going to do.
"I believe that and that's the approach that we want to be able to take.”
The Rams have largely been pleased with the growth they've seen from the wideouts this summer, with the room shaping up well behind Kupp and proven complementary piece Van Jefferson.
There's former second-round pick TuTu Atwell, a quick-footed playmaker who McVay declared had an "excellent offseason," and rookie fifth-round selection Puka Nacua, a standout from as far back as OTAs who's drawn praise for his maturity and intellect.
Throw in the versatile Ben Skorownek and productive veteran Demarcus Robinson, and McVay feels confident in what he has with Kupp out.
But perhaps most importantly, the Rams don't need to get prepared to play without Kupp - they've been that way for much of the last month while the former Eastern Washington star recovered from his initial hamstring injury.
Los Angeles hasn't had Kupp in the fold for much of the offseason program, with his latest injury troubles pairing excused family reasons and continued ankle recovery to keep him away from the team for most of the summer.
As a result, McVay believes the other receivers were forced to grow and develop, and the increased availability in first-team snaps helped grow rapport with quarterback Matthew Stafford.
And so, the Rams are confident their offense will be just fine even without Kupp ... in large part because McVay has already seen so much of it under this circumstance.
“I think you just move forward, and you've got to be able to operate with the situation and the guys that we do have," McVay said. "And if he's able to go, then that's outstanding for us, and if not, then that's how we've been operating.”
The Rams - with or without Kupp - will kickoff at 1:25 p.m. against the Seahawks, seeking to start a bounce-back campaign with a loud statement on the road.
