The Los Angeles Rams recently began their OTAs as they prepare for not only training camp in July, but the start of the season three-plus months from now. While Cooper Kupp is currently absent from practice, Sean McVay iterated that the Rams are playing it smart with the All-Pro wideout after he underwent ankle surgery in the offseason.
“I think we’ll just take that a day at a time. Whenever he does come back, we’ll be smart with how we kind of onboard him and get him back up to speed. He’s the kind of guy, he’s doing a lot of stuff, keeping himself ready to go,” McVay said. “But in his absence, taking care of No. 1 priority, which is obviously incredibly important, you’re getting a lot of these younger guys or some of these guys to be able to establish a rapport with Matthew (Stafford). We’re talking about whether it’s Van (Jefferson), whether it’s Tutu (Atwell), Puka (Nacua), Ben (Skowronek) – guys are getting opportunities, with some of the new tight ends that we have, to just get a feel and for Matthew to be able to establish and develop a rapport that we didn’t get a chance to do last year and those are always chances to be able to improve. So those guys will be ready to go, (I) know that they’re doing the right stuff on their own and when they’re back with us, we’ll obviously be excited about that as well.”
Kupp is currently away from the team because he and his wife expecting their third child soon. So the Rams have remained in contact with the veteran wide receiver while he understandably takes time away to spend time with his family.
After getting off to a fast start in the first nine games of the season in 2022, Kupp suffered a season-ending ankle injury, causing him to miss the final eight games. He caught 75 passes for 812 yards and six touchdowns before being sidelined.
With Kupp entering his seventh season, the Rams understand that there’s no rush to get him back on the field coming off ankle surgery. Despite wanting to have Kupp around the younger players, McVay pointed out that it’s a positive thing for Matthew Stafford to build his rapport with the other pass catchers until Kupp returns.
