Since a Week 2 high ankle sprain sidelined Cooper Kupp, the LA Rams have been dearly missing the former Pro Bowl wide receiver. Not only have they been without Kupp, but also Puka Nacua, which has left the offense piecing things together.
Finally, though, there seems to be good news on the Kupp injury front.
Earlier this week, head coach Sean McVay told reporters that a potential return date for Kupp looked to be Week 7, stating it was "an ideal target" for the veteran wide receiver.
McVay actually noted that Week 7 "was always an optimistic target date just based on a few weeks back," so this seems to be right on schedule with their thinking. Now, of course this isn't set in stone.
"But by no means is that guaranteed," McVay also stated.
The Rams get the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7 after their Week 6 bye. Prior to his injury, Kupp looked like he would be on a record-setting pace in less than two games played, having caught 18 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown.
The Rams appear to have done the right thing not placing Cooper Kupp on injured reserve
Had Kupp gone on injured reserve initially, he would not have been eligible to return until Week 8 in a prime time matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Because of the decision by Los Angeles, he looks like he could end up returning a week earlier, and that's big for the Rams.
The timing actually appeared to be as good as it could be for this injury, because of the Rams' bye week coming this weekend. Kupp won't miss a game in Week 6 because of the bye, of course, and then might be able to return the following game against the Raiders.
Being able to suit up and help the Rams come out of the bye with a win over Las Vegas is as good as anybody could have asked for when the injury originally occurred. Instead of it being a potentially long-term issue, things look to be tracking smoothly for Kupp.
In his place, rookie wide receiver Jordan Whittington has been doing everything he can to help out the offense. In the last two contests, Whittington has caught 13 of 18 targets for 151 yards, but has yet to get into the end zone. His production has steadily climbed and the Rams have needed it without both Kupp and Puka Nacua.
