After missing the Los Angeles Rams’ last 12 games due to injuries, Cooper Kupp will return to the field on Sunday.
Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed to reporters on Friday that the plan is for the star wide receiver to make his debut when Los Angeles hosts the Philadelphia Eagles. After leading the NFL in receptions and receiving yards during the Ram’s Super Bowl-winning season in 2021, the Eastern Washington product missed Los Angeles’ final eight games of the 2022 season with a high ankle sprain, before missing the first four games of the 2023 campaign with a lingering hamstring injury.
Kupp’s return to the lineup should provide a boost to a Rams team that enters Week 5 in third place of the NFC West with a 2-2 record. The 4-0 Eagles, meanwhile, are one of two remaining unbeaten teams in the NFL through the first four weeks of the season.
While Los Angeles struggled to replicate Kupp’s production when he was sidelined last year, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been relying on fifth-round rookie Puka Nacua through the first four games of 2023. With the 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year sidelined, Nacua has led the NFL in receptions (39) and currently ranks second in receiving yards (501), trailing only Justin Jefferson and D.J. Moore.
With Kupp back in the Rams’ lineup, it will be interesting to see how Nacua’s role changes. But one would imagine that there will be plenty of passes to go around as Los Angeles looks to catch up to the 4-0 San Francisco 49ers and 3-1 Seattle Seahawks.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.