Rams lose receivers Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp to concussions
Rams receivers Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp suffered concussions during Sunday’s 33-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, putting their availability for next week’s game at Denver in doubt.
Kupp caught six passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. He did not play in the second half. Cooks caught one pass for 18 yards late in the second quarter, but fumbled and was injured when safety Tedrick Thompson crashed into him.
Robert Woods caught five passes for 92 yards, and switched positions to fill Kupp’s role.
“I’m so proud of him,” quarterback Jared Goff said of Woods, adding. “It’s not unexpected, but I’ve been around some receivers that wouldn’t be able to just seamlessly switch positions and know everything and not even have a problem with anything.”
Receivers Josh Reynolds and KhaDarel Hodge stepped up and contributed key plays for the Rams.
Reynolds picked up three consecutive first downs in the third quarter with receptions of 22 and 17 yards and a run of 10 yards. The plays set up a touchdown run by Todd Gurley that tied the score, 24-24.
“Just got to be ready,” said Reynolds, a second-year pro who was sidelined early in the season because of an ankle injury. “You never know where that ball’s going around in the offense.
“It definitely was a good time.”
Hodge, an undrafted free agent who began the season on the practice squad, picked up a first down with a 14-yard reception during the drive for what turned out to be the game-winning field goal.
“It’s an amazing feeling just to get on the field,” said Hodge, who played in college at Prairie View A&M. “That was a pretty live game.
“We didn’t have that crowd in college. Everything is new.”
Barron makes season debut
Linebacker Mark Barron, sidelined throughout the offseason and the first four games because of an Achilles injury, started and made nine tackles.
“I hadn’t run full speed in eight months, and I felt like I played well, considering that,” Barron said. “But I didn’t feel that I was back to my top speed.”
Barron did not participate in individual pregame warmups. He said he did not make the final decision to play until he went through team warmups.
“It’s nice having him back out there,” middle linebacker Cory Littleton said. “He did a good job.”
Defense bends
The Rams gave up 373 yards — including 190 yards rushing — and struggled to contain Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who passed for 198 yards and three touchdowns.
However, the defense did stop the Seahawks late in the fourth quarter.
“We had a lot of guys, including myself, that was trying to go out there and do too much, trying to go out there and make plays for the team,” defensive lineman Michael Brockers said. “We say it all the time: Do your job and do it well.
“As a defense, we know we could have stepped it up more, and in the fourth quarter, it’s time to win the game.”
Etc.
Littleton blocked a punt in the first quarter, but the Rams failed to capitalize when defensive lineman Frank Clark intercepted a tipped pass in the end zone. … Last week, cornerback Sam Shields started in place of injured Aqib Talib. But Troy Hill started against the Seahawks. Hill made five tackles and defended a pass. Shields also defended a pass. … Kick returner JoJo Natson remained sidelined because of a hand injury. Blake Countess averaged 24.5 yards for four kick returns. Linebacker Matt Longacre returned two kicks, one for 16 yards.
Follow Gary Klein on Twitter @latimesklein
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