Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp in action against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL game on Sept. 15, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ross D. Franklin/AP)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp sustained an ankle injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s 41-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and did not return for the second half.
After the game, Rams head coach Sean McVay had no update on the severity of Kupp’s injury. The star receiver was seen wearing a boot on his left foot in the locker room.
Injury During 24-Yard Catch
Kupp’s injury happened during his fourth catch of the game—a 24-yard play near the end of the first half. He limped off the field and went straight to the locker room at halftime.
“[Kupp] ran across the field, did a really nice job, and then was limping a little bit,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “And he doesn’t usually limp for too long. Sometimes you get stepped on and you limp for a minute and walk one off. But we will see what that is. Obviously a huge part of our team and a huge part of our offense.”
Kupp finished the game with four catches for 37 yards on six targets. So far this season, he has 18 receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown.
Rams Offense Struggles
The Rams were already missing wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is on injured reserve after suffering a PCL injury in Week 1. With Kupp and Nacua sidelined, the Rams’ receiving core is left with Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell, and rookie Jordan Whittington.
In the game, Stafford failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time since Week 1 of the 2023 season, ending his streak of 15 consecutive games with a passing touchdown, the second-longest active streak behind Kirk Cousins.
With the loss, the Rams are now 0-2 for the first time under McVay, their worst start since 2011. The 31-point margin is the second-largest defeat McVay has experienced as head coach.
“They got after us in every phase,” McVay said. “They did a great job. There’s not anything positive that I can take away from today. And anytime that something like this occurs, I think you’ve got to look inward, first and foremost.
” … It was an incredibly humbling three-hour window. They did what they wanted to do from the jump. We didn’t do anything to give ourselves a chance. Guys kept battling, but we’ve got to be able to figure it out. We have a lot of reasons to make excuses, but ultimately they came in, they were ready to go, they got after us and we didn’t do a good enough job. And that always starts with me.”
Defense Allows 489 Yards
The Rams have allowed 67 points in their first two games, the third-highest total in franchise history, according to ESPN. The defense, playing without retired star Aaron Donald, struggled mightily, surrendering 489 yards, including 231 on the ground.
“This is not a fun place to be in as a competitor,” McVay said. “You guys know me. I mean, this chaps me to no end. But it doesn’t do any good to sit here and dwell on it. What I’m not going to do is pout about this s—. All right? I’m going to figure out, all right, how can I go respond in a manner that’s reflective of what I ask of our guys? And that’s exactly what you guys are going to see.”
This report used information from ESPN.
