Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have been the main targets in the Rams’ passing game.
In their last 20 games, including playoffs, they accounted for 53% of the team’s receiving yards, 46% of the catches, and 13 out of 29 passing touchdowns.
Now, as the Rams prepare for their first game without both players due to injuries, they must move forward against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
“Whenever injuries happen, you feel bad for the player, but you can’t feel sorry for yourself or your team,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said on Thursday. “It’s just time to go.”
The Rams (0-2) have several options to step in, including veteran DeMarcus Robinson, familiar players Tyler Johnson and Tutu Atwell, and promising rookie Jordan Whittington. Johnson believes they can work together to fill the gaps.
“We’re excited, man,” Johnson said. “We can’t wait to go out there and do what Coach (Sean McVay) asks us to do on Sunday. We look forward to being ourselves. We can’t be Coop or Puka; we just need to be each of us.”
Whittington, a rookie from Texas, shares some athletic qualities with Kupp and Nacua. At 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, he has a strong build that can take hits during plays.
He quickly realized he shared a similar mindset with the two stars.
“We’re all kind of cut from the same cloth, all have the same mentality,” Whittington said. “We’re all really tough and selfless. I think that’s what you need in this game.”
