Star receiver Cooper Kupp left Week 10’s game against the Arizona Cardinals early with an injury. The injury didn’t look good at the time. Now, after further examination, the Los Angeles Rams will likely be without the reigning Super Bowl MVP for a while.
Adam Schefter of ESPN that Kupp sustained a high ankle sprain. He also cited a source who said that the injury “doesn’t sound good.”
Rams’ WR Cooper Kupp suffered a high ankle sprain Sunday vs. the Cardinals, per one source. Another familiar with his prognosis said it “doesn’t sound good.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2022
Football fans were understandably unhappy with the news.
👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼 https://t.co/yWzJHe6m2r
— trey wingo (@wingoz) November 15, 2022
https://t.co/TvqoNuh1z2 pic.twitter.com/9ankkjw2T3
— Jamey Eisenberg (@JameyEisenberg) November 15, 2022
Could literally miss the rest of the year, if it’s bad enough https://t.co/oBbKu4q9R8
— FOST (@GeorgeFoster72) November 15, 2022
Cooper Kupp doesn't have a timetable yet, but this diagnosis would put his availability for the Packers' Week 15 matchup with the Rams at least somewhat in doubt. https://t.co/xdRpArSm7C
— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) November 15, 2022
There are multiple angles to look at here and unfortunately, none of them are positive.
For the Rams, this is devastating news. Kupp has 75 receptions for 812 yards on the season. Tight end Tyler Higbee and receiver Allen Robinson II are second and third, respectively for Los Angeles in both categories. They have a combined 73 receptions for 677 yards. The next two receivers in both categories — Robinson and Ben Skowronek — have a combined 55 receptions for 537 yards. Kupp also has six touchdown receptions. The rest of the Rams have a combined three.
It’s also bad news for fantasy players. There’s no official diagnosis yet but this is likely a 4-6 recovery. That would mean that, at best, Kupp would miss the rest of the fantasy regular season and probably part of the postseason.
The Rams are also 3-6 and in last place in the NFC West with Kupp in the lineup. That is two full games behind the San Francisco 49ers, who presently occupy the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC. In reality, the deficit is more like 2.5 games, as San Francisco swept Los Angeles in the season series.
Even if things change in the coming weeks and the Rams close the gap in the playoff race, don’t expect them to rush Kupp back into action. And if the current trends continue, Los Angeles will be even more cautious. That doesn’t nenecessarilyean that Kupp will miss the rest of the season but at this point, it wouldn’t be shocking.
[Adam Schefter on Twitter]