Rams' Cooper Kupp to miss 'extended time' with ankle injury, IR candidate

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Wide receiver Cooper Kupp will miss extended time after suffering an ankle sprain during Sunday's 41-10 blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Rams coach Sean McVay announced Monday.

Kupp, who injured his left ankle in the second quarter, did not return for the second half. He was seen wearing a boot on his left foot following the game, raising concerns about a prolonged absence.

“He's strong,” McVay said. “The amount of time (and) the sacrifices to try to put yourself in a position to positively affect the team.

"He's done that in a lot of ways and he’ll be able to continue to do that even if it's not on the field. He was disappointed.” 

The Rams (0-2) are dealing with significant injuries across their roster, including wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is on injured reserve after sustaining a posterior cruciate ligament sprain in Week 1. With both Kupp and Nacua sidelined, the Rams’ receiving corps is relying on Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell and rookie Jordan Whittington.

Robinson said Monday that he’s prepared to step into a leadership role for the team’s home opener against NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers. 

“I’ve already been training and showing the guys that I can be a leader,” Robinson said. “I am giving myself a higher standard and a higher role in our room.”

Infirmary gets crowded

McVay also provided injury updates on key playmakers guard Jonah Jackson (shoulder) and safety John Johnson III (shoulder) who sustained injuries during Sunday’s game. 

“Those are major impacts,” McVay said. “First and foremost, you feel terrible for these guys. 

"We've had some unfortunate breaks and it's happened really early and it's definitely nothing that I've been exposed to.” 

Jackson aggravated a shoulder injury during Sunday's game and he is a candidate for injured reserve. Jackson, one of the team’s top offensive linemen and a crucial offseason addition, missed significant time in training camp with a bruised scapula and could miss an extended portion of the season.

Johnson III is expected to miss four to six weeks after suffering a scapula fracture during Sunday’s loss.  He confirmed the severity of his injury on his podcast, saying that he’ll be out for more than a month.

He has been an important piece of the defense, recording eight tackles and an interception during the first two games.

“(It’s a) big loss as a safety,” McVay commented. “His communication, his command, his playmaking ability will be tremendously missed.” 

While kicker Josh Karty is dealing with a minor groin injury, McVay said he is optimistic he will be ready to play Sunday against the 49ers.

As injuries continue to mount, McVay said he is concerned about the impact of the injured reserve situation. 

“We’re kind of running out of those spots early into week 3,” he said.