Coach Sean McVay suggested Tuesday that Kupp was never truly healthy last season but is now back at full strength, Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire reports. McVay compared Kupp's 2023 to QB Matthew Stafford's 2022, with the implication being that both players not only missed games but also played through injuries when they were active. Kupp has told reporters he's 100 percent healthy for the offseason program, unlike in recent years at the same juncture. Last year, he was coming back from season-ending ankle surgery in 2022 and then ended up suffering a summer hamstring injury that cost him the first four games of 2023. Kupp didn't lose any games to injuries thereafter, but he did make an early exit from the team's Week 11 contest and ultimately averaged his least receiving yards per game (61.4) since his rookie year. While a rebound could be coming, Kupp is on the cusp of his 31st birthday and now has to share an offense with 2023 rookie sensation Puka Nacua. It's thus unclear if Kupp will regain his peak form and target volume, though just one of those two things happening would probably be enough to make him a good fantasy pick.
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Coach Sean McVay suggested Tuesday that Kupp was never truly healthy last season but is now back at full strength, Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire reports. McVay compared Kupp's 2023 to QB Matthew Stafford's 2022, with the implication being that both players not only missed games but also played through injuries when they were active. Kupp has told reporters he's 100 percent healthy for the offseason program, unlike in recent years at the same juncture. Last year, he was coming back from season-ending ankle surgery in 2022 and then ended up suffering a summer hamstring injury that cost him the first four games of 2023. Kupp didn't lose any games to injuries thereafter, but he did make an early exit from the team's Week 11 contest and ultimately averaged his least receiving yards per game (61.4) since his rookie year. While a rebound could be coming, Kupp is on the cusp of his 31st birthday and now has to share an offense with 2023 rookie sensation Puka Nacua. It's thus unclear if Kupp will regain his peak form and target volume, though just one of those two things happening would probably be enough to make him a good fantasy pick.
Kupp was able to come into the day free of an injury designation after overcoming his Week 11 ankle sprain, and although he appeared to be dinged up briefly early in Sunday's contest, he returned and handled a normal workload. However, the majority of the production through the air came via the unlikely duo of Kyren Williams and Tyler Higbee, who accounted for all four of Matthew Stafford's touchdown tosses. Kupp's numbers thus far have been underwhelming, but he'll draw an intriguing home matchup in Week 13 against a Browns defense that's been much more generous against the pass on the road.
Since the Rams have yet to complete their final Week 12 practice Friday, it's not yet clear if Kupp will be listed as questionable heading into Sunday, or if he'll avoid a designation. Either way, McVay's comments indicate that Kupp will be ready to go come Sunday, when the wideout will return to action after exiting early in the Rams' Week 11 win over the Seahawks with a right low-ankle sprain. Though Kupp may be operating at somewhere less than 100 percent health against Arizona, his track record of being a high-volume target for quarterback Matthew Stafford should make fantasy managers comfortable enough with keeping the 30-year-old receiver in fantasy lineups.
Kupp didn't return to this past Sunday's win against the Seahawks after suffering what eventually diagnosed as a low right-ankle sprain in the second quarter. He was unable to practice Wednesday, so his expected return to the field one day later seemingly is a good sign as the Rams make their way through Week 12 prep. Thursday's injury report will reveal Kupp's activity level.
Though Kupp is considered day-to-day with what has been reported as a right low-ankle sprain, McVay said Monday that he's hopeful the veteran wideout won't miss any game action, according to Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports. With an absence from practice Wednesday, Kupp isn't starting Week 12 prep off on the right foot, but he'll have two more chances to potentially log some on-field activity and put himself in a position to play Sunday against the Cardinals. Before tweaking his ankle in this past Sunday's win over the Seahawks, Kupp missed the Rams' first four games of the season with a hamstring injury.
Kupp struggled to make his usual impact with backup Brett Rypien under center and managing just 130 passing yards. However, with what is now three straight sub-50-yard performances, Kupp's performance level has hit a lull. He'll strive to bounce back once the Rams return from their bye week, which could coincide with Matthew Stafford (thumb) re-entering the lineup.
The Rams' offense was held in check throughout the game, as Darrell Henderson was the team's leading receiver with 54 yards. Meanwhile, Kupp has combined to record just six receptions for 50 yards across his last two games. Particularly concerning for his outlook moving forward is that Matthew Stafford suffered a thumb injury in the loss, leaving Brett Rypien as the potential starter for a Week 9 matchup at Green Bay.