Rams’ Matthew Stafford appears ‘back’ to health, but Cooper Kupp’s return is up in air

Rams coach Sean McVay would like to have recovering Cooper Kupp (10) back for quarterback Matthew Stafford (9), but the receiver might not be ready yet. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Quarterback Matthew Stafford returned Monday from the Rams’ off week with no restrictions related to a back issue, and receiver Cooper Kupp took a step toward possibly coming back in time for the game Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

That was good news for a Rams team that is 1-4, with hopes of staging a similar turnaround to the one they pulled off in 2023 en route to a 10-7 record and playoff berth.

The bad news: Receiver Puka Nacua and offensive lineman Steve Avila, who are eligible to come off injured reserve, are still “a ways away” from returning and will not practice this week, coach Sean McVay said.

Offensive lineman Joe Noteboom’s window to return from injured reserve could open depending upon his workouts with trainers this week, McVay said.

Stafford, 36, was hit 10 times and sacked three times on Oct. 6 during a 24-19 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. The day after, McVay said the 16th-year pro was experiencing back soreness.

Read more: Matthew Stafford asked if Week 6 off is a help to Rams: ‘I don’t know. We’ll see.’

Before practice Monday, McVay said Stafford was “feeling really good” and was “not going to miss any time.” Stafford showed no signs of strain during the part of the workout open to reporters.

Kupp, 31, has not practiced or played since suffering an ankle injury during a rout by the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 15.

The eighth-year pro was scheduled to work with trainers on the field Monday.

“There is a possibility he could be ready this week,” McVay said. “There’s also a possibility that he might not be ready.”

The Monday workout, and how Kupp responds, will dictate “his availability” for practices Wednesday, Thursday and Friday “if he’s going to play this week,” McVay said.

After playing the Raiders at SoFi Stadium,…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-matthew-stafford-appears-back-220518134.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-10-14 22:05:18

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