After missing the second half of the 2022 season with an injured ankle, the Los Angeles Rams were hoping their star receiver, Cooper Kupp, would be fully healthy for the 2023 season. However, their hopes were dampened when Kupp appeared to suffer a hamstring injury during practice on Tuesday.
A spokesman for the Rams confirmed that Kupp had indeed suffered a hamstring injury, but the team remains optimistic about his availability for the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on September 10, 2023, as reported by NFL Media.
The incident occurred during a one-on-one receiving drill in practice. Cooper Kupp was seen running a route into the end zone when he seemed to come up limping after the play. Concerned about his condition, Kupp walked over to the training staff and eventually left the field for further assessment.
Following the practice session, Rams head coach Sean McVay was questioned about the nature of Cooper Kupp’s injury. However, he stated that he had not yet received any updates from the medical staff, leaving the specifics of the injury unknown.
“He looked like he came up a little bit in a red zone route, and then I just knew they told me he was out for practice,” McVay said, as quoted by the team.
The 30-year-old Cooper Kupp has been a standout wide receiver in the NFL for the past four years. However, his 2022 season was cut short due to an ankle injury that forced him to miss the final eight games. Despite the setback, Kupp still managed to record an impressive 75 receptions in the nine games he played, putting him on pace for 141.7 catches over a full season, a feat that would have ranked as the fourth-most in NFL history.
Although the Rams are hopeful about Kupp’s availability for the season opener, his injury history raises some concerns. The team acknowledges that having Kupp on the field significantly improves their performance, but they are also prepared to adapt if he is unable to play.
“We’re much better when he’s here, and you hope he’s going to be okay,” McVay expressed. “But if he’s not, I mean, we’ll see what happens, but the practice had to go on, and that’s what happened today.”
As the Rams closely monitor Cooper Kupp‘s injury and recovery, fans and the team alike are anxiously awaiting updates on his status for the upcoming season. His presence on the field has been crucial to the Rams’ success, and his absence would undoubtedly be felt. For now, the team remains optimistic, hoping to see their star receiver back in action for the much-anticipated season opener against the Seahawks.