Rams look to returning Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua in clash vs. Vikings
Wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua return from injury absences as the Los Angeles Rams prepare to face the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night in Inglewood, Calif.
Kupp has not played since Week 2, when he sprained his ankle. He also wants to avoid too much discussion about his future as the NFL trade deadline approaches.
“I’m aware of it,” Kupp said about trade rumors, “but at the end of the day, I mean, I’m going to be where my feet are. That’s all I know. I have a job to do here. And I take a lot of pride in giving everything I can for the guys in this building and being able to step on the field knowing that I prepared the best that I can.”
That means Kupp is focused on helping the Rams (2-4) try to post back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Los Angeles snapped a two-game losing streak by beating the visiting Las Vegas Raiders 20-15 last weekend.
Kupp was a full participant in practice all week while Nacua (knee) was activated from injured reserve on Thursday two days after the opening of his 21-day practice window. Nacua is expected to play for the first time since the season opener.
Nacua, 23, dealt with a knee issue in training camp and then sprained his PCL in the season-opening contest against the Detroit Lions. He had four receptions for 35 yards in the 26-20 road loss.
Last season, Nacua set NFL rookie records of 105 receptions and 1,486 yards in 17 games. He caught six touchdown passes while earning Pro Bowl honors.
Meanwhile, Minnesota (5-1) hopes to bounce back from its first loss of the season. The Vikings took a lead late against the Lions last Sunday, but Jake Bates drilled a 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds left to put Detroit on top for good against its division rival.
The Vikings were hoping that this week would mark the return of tight end T.J. Hockenson. The veteran has been sidelined since late last season, when he tore his ACL and MCL in his right knee. He officially was listed as questionable on Wednesday but was downgraded to out on Thursday, according to multiple media reports.
Hockenson, who caught 95 passes for 960 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) for Minnesota last season, will be activated on Friday and play next week against the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN.
Quarterback Sam Darnold eventually will have another top target in the passing game alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Aaron Jones also said he felt good to play on short rest despite a hip injury that has nagged him for a couple weeks. Jones racked up 116 total yards (93 rushing, 23 receiving) against Detroit.
“No problems out of it,” Jones said. “I’ll continue to stay on top of it on my end and do everything to check the boxes so I don’t end up back in that situation (with the injury).”
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will look to improve upon his 83.6 passer rating against a physical Vikings defense. Stafford has thrown for 1,392 yards and three touchdowns, with four interceptions this season.
Kyren Williams is the Rams’ biggest threat on offense. He has rushed for 436 yards and eight touchdowns in six games (all starts).
Tutu Atwell leads the team’s receiving unit with 23 catches for 332 yards. Demarcus Robinson, Kupp and Williams each have a receiving touchdown.
The Rams have ruled out linebacker Troy Reeder (hamstring), receiver Jordan Whittington (shoulder) and offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (ankle). On Thursday they placed Reeder on injured reserve.
Linebacker Blake Cashman missed the Vikings’ practices on Tuesday and Wednesday with turf toe and was ruled out for a second straight week.
–Field Level Media