Can Cooper Kupp play today? Latest on Rams WR's expected return ahead of Week 7

Cooper Kupp is an explosive wide receiver who can dominate games when he is healthy. The problem is that he has rarely been fully healthy in his career. As proof, the season after he nearly hit 2,000 yards and was adjudged the MVP of Super Bowl LVIII, he struggled for form after an ankle injury.

In 2023, he missed the first four games because of a hamstring injury. And in 2024, he has not played since Week 2 because of another ankle injury. But there is still hope that he may return, and the latest news strongly indicates that.

---

Cooper Kupp's injury status

On Wednesday, Kupp did individual drills during practice for the game against the Las Vegas Raiders, hinting that he might play therein.

Head coach Sean McVay said:

"He's trending in the right direction, but we'll see exactly what that means as the week progresses."

That is an improvement from two days ago, when he expressed doubts about his playmaker's status. But there are still hurdles that Kupp must clear before he is fully cleared.

McVay added:

"Some of the short-area movements, some of the things that are necessary as far as being engaged as part of the blocking surface or to be able to work edges on people. I think some of it too is even just when you're connected with somebody and it's a lean or press away."

"Just the overall twitch, the overall strength and power with some of the movements that we'll ask of him."

While Cooper Kupp is trending in the right direction, he is still a doubt for Rams' Week 7 game.

---

Latest on other key Rams players besides Cooper Kupp ahead of Week 7 matchup vs. Raiders

Some of Cooper Kupp's offensive teammates may not be as lucky, however.

While offensive tackle Joe Noteboom was able to practice for the first time since hurting his ankle in the season-opening loss at the Detroit Lions, neither wide receiver Puka Nacua nor center Steve Avila (both knee) is expected to practice at all.

McVay said of them:

"They're still a little bit of ways away. (Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance) Reggie (Scott) and his group are working tirelessly to get those guys back. And so we'll be really excited when that window of opportunity opens up for those guys to start to practice."

The Raiders' injury report, meanwhile, is headlined by star defensive end Maxx Crosby, who was absent on Wednesday because of an ankle injury.