Rams' Kupp to be placed on IR ahead of ankle surgery
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is being placed on injured reserve due to a high ankle sprain, head coach Sean McVay confirmed Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Kupp is scheduled to have surgery to repair the ailment on Wednesday and will miss at least four weeks, per Rapoport. He'll undergo a tightrope procedure to fix the issue. McVay isn't ruling out Kupp for the remainder of the season.
The star wideout landed awkwardly after attempting to make a play on a pass in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals. His leg got tripped up by Arizona's Marco Wilson, and he immediately clutched his leg in pain following the play. Kupp recorded three catches for minus-1 yard prior to his exit. He was spotted wearing a walking boot after the game.
Kupp has recorded 75 receptions for 812 yards and six touchdowns this season while averaging 10.8 yards per catch in nine games. The 29-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign last season when he led the league with 145 catches, 1,947, and 16 touchdowns. He was named Offensive Player of the Year as well as Super Bowl LVI MVP.
Kupp's absence comes amid a difficult stretch for the Rams. They are also missing quarterback Matthew Stafford, who remains in concussion protocol.
McVay also confirmed starting left tackle Alaric Jackson will miss the remainder of the season due to blood clots and right guard Chandler Brewer will be out four-to-six week following knee surgery, according to The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue.
The Rams (3-6) will play the New Orleans Saints (3-7) on Sunday.