The Rams continue to run into issues on offense ahead of a pivotal Week 17 game. Cooper Kupp‘s availability for the team’s regular-season-ending game against the Cardinals is now in doubt after the veteran wideout landed on the Rams’ reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.
This designation does not mean Kupp is out for Sunday’s game. If the fourth-year receiver did not test positive for the coronavirus, he would be on track to return this week. If Kupp did contract the virus, he cannot play in Week 17.
Kupp’s now-murky status, however, comes at a time when the Rams are reeling on offense. They are set to be without Jared Goff due to injury for the first time, with Alliance of American Football refugee John Wolford in line to start Sunday. Darrell Henderson is now on IR, according to the team, and Cam Akers‘ status — after missing Week 16 with a high ankle sprain — may be iffy at best given his injury. The Rams, who have lost two straight to put them in danger of missing the playoffs, have also been without Andrew Whitworth for several weeks.
Kupp has not missed a game since suffering a torn ACL midway through the 2018 season. He needs 26 yards for his second career 1,000-yard season. The Rams gave Kupp and Robert Woods extensions this year, committing to the duo after trading Brandin Cooks. With the team needing a win or a Bears loss to ensure playoff qualification, Kupp’s status certainly will be a key matter for the team this week.
Henderson followed Akers in encountering ankle trouble. Unless the Rams make a run to the NFC championship game, Henderson will not be able to return until next season. Although Akers surpassed him in Los Angeles’ backfield pecking order late this season, Henderson started against the Seahawks and leads the team with 624 rushing yards.
Hopefully its just a precaution and Kupp will be able to play.
Precaution? Along with testing….precautions are laughable and useless.
I agree, I never take precautions. When I cross the street I close my eyes instead of looking both ways.
This is going to be quite the game this week. Might miss the playoffs.
Moving the Bears/Packers game back from it’s normal 1pm start time ensures that the Rams make an honest effort to win.
I don’t doubt that the defense will do its job, but Wolford was not as impressive in the AAF as his stats would suggest. He seemed to lack the ability to scan the field at times even at that level. There were a couple of QBs-namely Walker and Gilbert who certainly elevated their status in the AAF, but I do not remember Wolford being particularly impressive. With Kupp out, he’ll be missing his greatest third down asset. The Rams I imagine will have a tough time with their best running backs and receiver unable to help their new QB. It’s hard to see them winning without the defense forcing turnovers.
yeah, i didnt follow the AAF that closely, but I remember noticing guys like Gilbert and Silvers doing well. never heard of Wolford, so hearing he had been such a standout shocked me some.
I watched quite a few of their games (much better product than expected, honestly), but I was even surprised to hear that Wolford was the leader in TD passes. I remember him as one of the league’s bottom half quarterbacks. Perhaps I am mistaken, but I did not remember him as a standout like Walker, Gilbert, or as you said, Brandon Silvers, were.
Yah I thought Kurt Warner was a very good grocery bagger too! I did not see him as the best grocery bagger ever though! And so it goes with comparing donuts and lock washers…well they both holes in the middle! Wolford is what LAR have and he is starting with or without Akers, Henderson, Whitfield or Kupp, so live with it! Possible that Wolford proves to be a good fit? We are about to learn something Sunday!
The point here is that without a run game, reliable passing game, and the best receiver being out, the Rams’ defense will have to not just play well, but force turnovers to win the game.