Cooper Kupp injury update: Rams WR out “for an extended period” with ankle issues; report says he’s a candidate for IR

Bad luck would be better than the good luck that the Los Angeles Rams have had this season. In addition to an 0-2 start, the Rams also had to deal with serious injuries to their starting wideouts Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.

Nacua is expected to miss 5-7 weeks after injuring his knee in Week 1. Kupp is expected to be out for a “long time” after injuring his ankle during Sunday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals, head coach Sean McVay said Monday, via ESPN. McVay added that Kupp is also a candidate to land on the injured list.

Kupp appeared to be back to his All-Pro form this season after being unavailable the previous two years due to injuries, catching 14 passes for 110 yards and a score in the Rams' loss to the Lions in Week 1. Kupp had four pass catches on Sunday before getting injured.

When healthy, Kupp has proven to be one of the most productive players in the NFL. In 2021, he had one of the best seasons a wide receiver has ever experienced. That season, he won the Triple Crown after leading the NFL with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. Kupp capped his breakthrough season by catching the game-winning touchdown pass in the Super Bowl. He was named MVP following the Rams' Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Other players out for the struggling Rams include: TE Tyler Higbee (ankle, PUP), OT Joe Noteboom (ankle, IR, OT KT Leveston (ankle, IR), OT Conor McDermott (unknown, IR), OG Steve Avila (knee, IR), OG Jonah Jackson (shoulder, possible IR candidate), DL Larrell Murchison (arm, IR), CB Darious Williams (hamstring, IR), CB Derion Kendrick (knee, IR) and S John Johnson III (shoulder, IR).

With Kupp and Nacua out, the Rams' receiver staff is now led by Tyler Johnson, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington. Expect the Rams to look for outside reinforcements at the receiver position ahead of their Week 3 game against division rival San Francisco.