Receiver Cooper Kupp is expected to miss several games for the Los Angeles Rams after injuring his ankle in their loss to Arizona last weekend. Rams coach Sean McVay disclosed the seriousness of Kupp’s injury on Monday.
He also mentioned that center Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson are likely to be out for several weeks due to shoulder injuries, adding to the Rams’ growing list of injury problems just two weeks into the season.
Kupp left the game on Sunday, which ended in a 41-10 loss, during the second quarter after twisting his ankle while making a long catch. Kupp, who was the Super Bowl 56 MVP, struggled with significant injuries over the past two seasons, playing in only 21 of the Rams’ 34 regular-season games.
The Rams are also missing record-setting receiver Puka Nacua, who aggravated his knee injury during the season opener. Nacua is expected to be out for at least another month, and possibly into November.
“We’ve had some unfortunate breaks,” McVay said. “It’s nothing like I’ve been exposed to. This is unique, but this is an opportunity for us to be what we say we want to be.”
All five starters from the Rams’ offensive line in Week 1 have been injured this season, with Jackson now joining the list after playing through his shoulder issue in Arizona. Right tackle Rob Havenstein missed the season opener at Detroit, where left guard Steve Avila, right guard Kevin Dotson, and left tackle Joseph Noteboom all sustained injuries.
“The amount of moving parts that we’ve had offensive line-wise is wild,” McVay said. “That’s such an important spot to get a rapport with the guys you’re playing next to, but we’ve had a Rolodex of guys since (training camp).”
Avila and Noteboom are on injured reserve, and Jackson might join them, according to McVay. Dotson has been playing through his injury, and projected starting left tackle Alaric Jackson, who was suspended for the first two games, is set to return this weekend against San Francisco.
