Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford look healthy in Rams practice ahead of Eagles game
It was a sight not seen since late August.
Matthew Stafford on Wednesday threw passes to Cooper Kupp during a Rams practice for the first time since Kupp suffered the hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve.
Stafford, the veteran quarterback, showed no signs of the hip injury he suffered and played through last Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Kupp appeared fully recovered from injury that sidelined him for four games.
“It was awesome,” Stafford said of working again with Kupp. “I was happy for him, first and foremost. Just know the amount of work that he’s put into getting back onto the practice field. So just happy for him that he was out there moving around and looking good.”
The Rams (2-2) play the Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Stafford, who led the Rams to a 29-23 overtime victory over the Colts, said he would play against the Eagles.
“Adrenaline’s a hell of a thing,” he quipped, adding, “When you’re running, big guys chasing after you, sometimes you run fast and forget about what’s ailing you.
“But I think I’ll be moving around just fine.”
Kupp’s status for Sunday will be determined by how he progresses this week. The Rams have a 21-day window to activate Kupp to the roster. The receiver will not speak to reporters until he is activated, which could come as soon as Friday if he suffers no setbacks.
Teammates said Kupp looked like his usual self throughout practice, only a portion of which is open to reporters.
“Normal,” safety John Johnson said. “He was catching acrobatic passes. He jumped for a high ball and got it. Like I said, normal.”
That is what coach Sean McVay said he hoped to see from Kupp when McVay met with reporters before practice. McVay said Kupp would be listed as limited, but then suddenly channeled the movie “Anchorman” when discussing the star receiver’s return.
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“It says limited; he’s not going to be limited,” McVay said. “I mean, so that just read as like Ron Burgundy just reading off the damn injury report.”
McVay reiterated that there was a difference between returning to play and a return to performance.
“I just want to see him look like the Cooper Kupp that we know,” McVay said.
Last season, Kupp suffered a season-ending ankle injury and had surgery. At the start of training camp, he appeared to be fully recovered. Then he suffered the hamstring injury during a drill.
Kupp sat out a few weeks before returning for joint practices with the Denver Broncos. He suffered an apparent setback and was placed on injured reserve before the opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Chargers enter their off week with a 2-2 record and continuing questions on coaching decisions. The Rams worry about recoveries of Matthew Safford and Cooper Kupp.
Going into this week, Kupp indicated he was ready to go without limitations, McVay said.
“He’s put in a lot of work behind the scenes,” McVay said, adding, “He said he’s feeling really good. I trust him. He’s a guy that really knows his body really well. ... There will be an ongoing dialogue.
“We want to be as smart as we kind of ramp up his workload through the course of the week with the goal of him being ready to go.”
During Kupp’s absence, rookie Puka Nacua has produced a record-breaking start. He has 39 catches for 501 yards, including the game-winning touchdown in the victory over the Colts.
Figuring ways to work Kupp back into the offense without limiting Nacua is a good problem to have, McVay said.
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“It’s a fun thing to be able to kind of work through,” McVay said.
Stafford concurred.
“As many good players as you can get on the field is the goal,” he said.
Stafford received treatment to reduce swelling in his hip during and immediately after the victory over the Colts. He said Wednesday he was feeling better than he anticipated.
When Sunday comes, “I’ll just go out there and play,” he said.
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