Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp may have avoided the worst-case scenario with his ankle injury. But Los Angeles’ best offensive player will be out for several weeks. Head coach Sean McVay told reporters Tuesday that Kupp will undergo stretch-rope surgery for his sprained ankle and will be placed on injured reserve. While Kupp’s surgery will require about five to six weeks to recover, McVay has not ruled Kupp out for the rest of the season. Kupp will have to spend at least four weeks on IR. A six-week layoff would put Kupp back in time for the final games of the season against the Chargers and Seahawks. But with the Rams at 3-6 heading into Sunday’s game in New Orleans, it’s in many ways difficult to see Los Angeles playing meaningful games in Weeks 17 and 18. Kupp was last year’s AP Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 145 catches, 1,947 yards and 16 receiving touchdowns. He then caught 33 passes for 478 yards with six touchdowns in four postseason games as the Rams won Super Bowl LVI and was named Super Bowl MVP. In 2022, Kupp has 75 catches for 812 yards with six touchdowns. Without Kupp, Allen Robinson will likely become LA’s top receiving option. But with Kupp, the team is just 29th in points and 31st in total yards.
