Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed, as reported by Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, that star wide receiver Cooper Kupp and tight end Davis Allen will be unavailable for Sunday’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Additionally, kicker Joshua Karty, defensive lineman Bobby Brown III, and cornerback Cobie Durant are considered questionable for the game.
This situation adds to the Rams’ woes, with 11 players currently on injured reserve, including offensive tackle Joe Noteboom, cornerback Darious Williams, and standout wide receiver Puka Nacua. Tight end Tyler Higbee is also on the PUP list, making him ineligible for at least the first four games of the season.
Consequently, much of the offensive burden will fall on quarterback Matthew Stafford, running back Kyren Williams, and wide receivers Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson. Either Jordan Whittington or Tutu Atwell will be tasked with filling Kupp’s role, a challenging position given Kupp’s impact on the team.
Kupp, drafted by the Rams in 2017 with the 69th overall pick, had a stellar rookie season with 62 receptions for 869 yards and five touchdowns, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Although he faced setbacks due to injuries in subsequent seasons, he bounced back in 2019 with over 1,000 receiving yards. His pinnacle came in 2021 when he led the league in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), and touchdowns (16), earning first-team All-Pro honors and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. That season culminated in a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, where he was named MVP after making eight receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
While Allen may not have reached Kupp’s heights, he was anticipated to play a key role in the Rams’ offense this week, particularly with Higbee out. Throughout his NFL career, Allen has tallied 10 receptions for 895 yards and one touchdown.