Rams lose Kupp for season
LOS ANGELES: Cooper Kupp, a second-year NFL receiver who helped the Los Angeles Rams to a league-best 9-1 start, will miss the remainder of the season with a left knee injury, the team announced Monday.
Kupp made 40 catches for
566 yards and a team-high six touchdowns this season for the Rams, who will face fellow 9-1
NFL co-leader Kansas City next Monday in Mexico City.
But on Sunday against Seattle, Kupp suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament after planting his left foot to change directions f ollowing a run downfield. He fell to the ground clutching his knee but was able to walk off the field with help from a trainer.
Kupp, 25, caught a career-high nine passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Minnesota and last year set a Rams rookie record with 62 catches for a club-high 869 yards.
Rams coach Sean McVay said he hoped Kupp would undergo knee surgery this week to begin a long rehabilitation road back for next season.
“It’s a huge loss for our football team. He’s such an important part of what we do and great football player, great person,” McVay said.
“It’s tough, but fortunately, we’ve got guys that are ready to step up.”
McVay plans to call upon Josh Reynolds to take Kupp’s place in the line-up. “Josh Reynolds has definitely demonstrated he’s more than capable,” McVay said.
“He’s a starting-calibre player and that’s what we’ll do moving forward.”