Update, Oct. 6 — Rams head coach Sean McVay said that Kupp will play this week against the Eagles.
Sean McVay says Cooper Kupp is playing on Sunday.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 6, 2023
Update, Oct. 6 — Kupp is expected to play against the Eagles, per Diana Russini. Russini says that Kupp has been on a snap count in practice, so that could be transferred into the game. We can’t count on a full set of snaps in his first game back, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be useful in fantasy, just riskier than normal.
Update, Oct. 5 — Kupp was listed as a full practice participant on Thursday. Signs are pointing to his making his 2023 debut on Sunday against the Eagles.
#Rams WR Cooper Kupp was a full participant at practice today, a good sign he should be back on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 5, 2023
Would be the first game of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp together. https://t.co/vtLwmT8CKH
Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters earlier this week that all world wide receiver Cooper Kupp would return to practice this week. And now it’s official, as he’s been listed as designated to return from the PUP list. That gives him 21 days to be elevated to the 53-man roster.
The team wants to see him in practice to get a better evaluation of where he is in his hamstring recovery. He undoubtedly is ready to go, but going without restrictions in practice will likely give them a better gauge on his status.
Kupp reportedly wants to play this week and that the injury wasn’t as bad as initially thought, per Dianna Russini.
WR Cooper Kupp is pushing to play against the Eagles. The Rams of course want to use Kupp on those deep over routes and will test it out to see if he can get close to max speed.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 4, 2023
The better news, I’m told the injury was not as serious (in terms of long term) as initially feared.
Fantasy football implications for Week 5
With Kupp out, Puka Nacua has been outstanding, while Tutu Atwell has also put up good numbers. Both remain fantasy assets while Coop returns from his injury, but there’s no doubt that if Kupp were return to hiw No. 1 WR status quickly, he would take a good chunk of targets away from Nacua.
This remains a wait to see situation as Kupp returns, but Nacua should hold fantasy value with Kupp back, but his consistency would likely take a hit.
