Rams still deciding on Cooper Kupp’s IR fate

LOS ANGELES — The Rams placed two players – left guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III – on injured reserve on Wednesday with shoulder injuries. Notable for his absence from this list was wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who sprained his ankle during Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

But head coach Sean McVay said later Wednesday that the Rams are still evaluating their options on whether or not to place Kupp on IR.

The good news first: Kupp does not require any kind of procedure on his injured left ankle. He’ll be in a cast this week then began rehab next week, McVay said. The coach also clarified that the Rams don’t believe Kupp’s injury will threaten to keep him out for the season.

“I know he’s going to want to be back as soon as he can,” McVay said. “But I don’t want to put any expectations or unnecessary things on him. He’s going to do everything in his power to get back. Whenever that is, we’ll be excited about that and happy for him.”

As to the timeline question, the Rams are optimistic because of their Week 6 bye. Jackson and Johnson went on injured reserve because the Rams knew they could not return to play in Week 7 and would need at least another additional week to recover.

Kupp, however, has the possibility to return for that Week 7 home game against the Las Vegas Raiders, so the Rams are keeping their options open, for now at least.

“There’s a chance just based on where our bye is, things like that, that he could get back before those four games,” McVay said. “It’s not like that [IR] decision has been finalized, but as of right now we’re not going to go that direction with him.”

On Monday, McVay noted that the Rams are running out of IR/designated for return spots already. NFL teams can designate up to eight players to return from IR during the regular season.

The Rams are also without wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is on injured reserve after spraining his posterior cruciate ligament in Week 1.

Kupp, who led the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16) in 2021, has not played a full season since then. In two games this season, Kupp has 18 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown.