LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams welcomed back wide receiver Puka Nacua to the practice field on the same day discussions about trading Cooper Kupp surfaced publicly. While Kupp has not confirmed whether the Rams have reached out to him or his representatives regarding a potential trade, multiple sources reported that such conversations were indeed taking place.
“It’s that time of the year when rumors are everywhere. I try to keep it in the background as much as possible,” Kupp stated. Kupp, who earned the title of Offensive Player of the Year and was a first-team All-Pro in 2021 during the Rams’ Super Bowl run, emphasized that his attention is firmly set on returning to the field. He has missed four games due to an ankle injury sustained during a matchup against Arizona in Week 2.
“I have responsibilities here, and I take pride in giving everything I can for my teammates, stepping onto the field knowing I’ve prepared the best I can,” he said. “For 7 and a half years, I’ve been part of the LA Rams, and I’ve approached each day with that mindset. I can only control what I can control. Right now, that means being the best LA Ram I can be.”
Kupp has been one of the league’s most effective receivers when healthy, serving as a critical element of coach Sean McVay’s offensive scheme. However, injuries have hindered his playtime in recent seasons. The 31-year-old has appeared in just 23 out of 40 games over the last two years due to various ailments, including ankle and hamstring injuries. So far this season, Kupp has recorded 18 receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown over two games.
The Rams (2-4) are gearing up for a Thursday night home game against the Minnesota Vikings, which could significantly impact their playoff prospects. This urgency makes it a pertinent time for discussions about Kupp’s future with the team. Quarterback Matthew Stafford acknowledged he wasn’t worried about the trade speculation.
“I’m a fan of the league, so I hear those things,” Stafford said. “But honestly, we are professional athletes who have faced this before. We understand that it’s part of the job. We shouldn’t focus too much on it, as it takes away from our preparation for a tough opponent. Our short week demands our complete attention, and I know Kupp feels the same way.”
Kupp is prepared to take on a full workload against the Vikings, although he knows that decision ultimately lies with McVay, receivers coach Eric Yarber, and the Rams’ medical team. He successfully returned to practice last week but was deemed inactive for Sunday’s narrow 20-15 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
With limited practice time leading up to the Vikings match, Kupp used the extra days to intensify his preparations for game action. “I thought he looked pretty good,” Stafford remarked. “I rely on him for feedback, asking, ‘Hey, how do you feel?’ He always appears to be in good condition to me.”
Meanwhile, Nacua has initiated his return from injured reserve, having his 21-day window to practice activated by the Rams. He participated in a limited capacity during the walkthrough, marking his first field activity since aggravating a knee injury during the season opener against Detroit on September 8.
Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur expressed his satisfaction with Nacua’s return but refrained from commenting on his potential participation against Minnesota. “That’s still to be determined,” LaFleur mentioned. “He hasn’t engaged in any full-speed drills in quite a while, so we’ll have to assess that.”
In his previous outing against the Lions, Nacua recorded four receptions for 35 yards. He made a significant impact last season, setting NFL rookie records with 105 catches and 1,486 yards, largely due to Kupp’s hamstring injury during training camp that allowed him to emerge as a prime target in the Rams’ passing scheme, raising questions about Kupp’s position on the team.