Los Angeles Rams star receiver Cooper Kupp will have surgery on his right ankle Wednesday.
Coach Sean McVay confirmed Tuesday that Kupp has a high-ankle sprain and will undergo a procedure known as “tightrope” surgery.
The team planned to place Kupp on injured reserve, meaning he will miss a minimum of four games.
The Rams also lost two more offensive linemen Tuesday. Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson has been shut down for the rest of the season with blood clots, and Chandler Brewer will miss 4-6 weeks with a knee injury.
McVay did not rule Kupp out for the season.
“It’s significant,” McVay told reporters Tuesday morning. “But what we’ve got to be able to do is say, ‘All right, let’s put our heads together, let’s figure out who we’re playing with, what do those guys do well, how do we make sure the plan is in alignment with that, and continue to try to really pour into these guys and develop them.”
The Rams (3-6) have lost three straight and five of their last six. The defending champions are in last place in the NFC West.
Kupp, 29, has 75 receptions for 812 yards and six touchdowns in nine games this season. Per ESPN Stats & Info, Kupp has 34 percent of the team’s recaptions, which is the highest percentage in the NFL this season.
He led the NFL in catches (145), receiving yards (1,947) and TD receptions (16) in 2021, earning Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl LVI MVP honors.
He departed Sunday’s 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals early in the fourth quarter.
Kupp jumped in the air near the sideline in an attempt to grab an off-target pass from backup quarterback John Wolford and came to the ground, where Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson rolled over his leg.
Jackson, 24, started the past six games in which he’s played, though he missed last week’s game against Arizona with a knee injury. He’ll be put on blood thinners.
“We do feel like he’s going to be OK,” McVay said regarding Jackson.
Brewer suffered a Grade 3 MCL sprain last week against Arizona, an injury that will require surgery.
It’s another blow to an offensive line that was already without guard David Edwards (concussion) and tackle Tremayne Anchrum (leg), who’s out for the season. McVay said Tuesday the Rams are “hopeful to get David Edwards back off of IR.”
The Rams also lost starting left tackle Joe Noteboom to a torn Achilles last month. He was replaced by Jackson. Ty Nsekhe is next man up at LT.
–Field Level Media
