THOUSAND OAKS, CA — When asked if wide receiver Cooper Kupp will return off injured reserve next week, Rams coach Sean McVay answered, "That's the hope."
Kupp was placed on injured reserve prior to the season opener due to a hamstring issue. After missing the first four games, the earliest he may return is Week 5, and there is still a chance that Kupp will return as soon as possible.
"He's progressing, and he's doing a good job," McVay said. "However, I don't want to confine myself to [a timeline]." He's increasing his workload and working well with [VP of sports medicine and performance Reggie Scott] and his team."
Kupp injured his hamstring during training camp and worsened it during the final week of preseason practises. He went to a specialist in Minnesota to see if the damage was more serious than a simple pull, but he didn't get a new diagnosis.
Still, the Rams placed him on injured reserve, with McVay explaining at the time that it was partly to keep Kupp from returning too soon. Similar factors will be considered when deciding when to activate the former Super Bowl MVP again.
"When you're talking about returning to performance and returning to play, those are different things," McVay stated. "And we want him to be able to perform at the level that he is capable of, so we're taking it one day at a time." He's doing everything he can to get himself ready to go and out there with his teammates. Hopefully, that will be the case next week, but if not, I'll keep you updated."
Tutu Atwell, a third-year receiver, and youngster Puka Nacua have stepped up in Kupp's absence.
McVay's use of Atwell's speed has resulted in at least eight targets each game. He gained 119 yards in the opener before catching his first touchdown throw of the season in the Bengals' loss on Monday. Meanwhile, in his first two games, Nacua set rookie records with 25 receptions and 266 yards.
McVay believes the return of Kupp, a former NFL Offensive Player of the Year, would benefit the Rams' passing offence, but he's also thinking about what it would mean for each player's job moving forwards.
"Figuring out exactly all the moving pieces, those are things that you think about in the back of your head a little bit," McVay stated. "But again, until he's able to go and then you just don't know what occurs this week and sometimes you can get a little ahead of yourself, so we'll deal with those things."
Meanwhile, the Rams must prepare for a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Rams did not practise on Wednesday, instead walking through the facility to begin a short week of work. However, Nacua (oblique) would have been limited in practise, while wide receiver Ben Skowronek and tight end Tyler Higbee (Achilles soreness) would have been held out.
After missing the second half of Monday's loss, starting left tackle Alaric Jackson (hamstring) would have been out on Wednesday as well. McVay stated that his status for Sunday would be determined on a daily basis.
When Jackson was injured on Monday, the Rams decided to bring in Zachary Thomas, putting Joe Noteboom, who had battled for the left tackle position throughout camp, at right guard. Thomas, on the other hand, struggled, allowing five QB pressures and two sacks.
McVay was not ready to make a two-man line substitution in real time on Monday, and he said the Rams were still figuring out how to replace Jackson if he is unable to play against the Colts.
"In retrospect, I think you'd say, 'Maybe give Joe a chance to go out there?'" "Yes," McVay said. "I'm not going to pretend to be perfect but I will learn from those things and we'll make better decisions if we feel like those are applicable."
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