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Sarah Barshop, ESPN workforce essayist
LOS ANGELES — Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp says he’s aware his name has been discussed in industry rumors ahead of the NFL’s Nov. 5 industry deadline, but he’s totally okay with it. Please “be the best LA Ram” you can be.
When asked if the Rams had talked to him or his representatives about the potential of buying and selling him, Kupp said: “Nothing really. No. It’s that time of year. There will be rumors and things that will circulate. I let those things, as much as I can, stay in the background.
“I’m aware of it, but at the end of the day, I mean, I’ll be where my feet are,” Kupp said. “That’s all I know. I have a job to do here. And I’m very proud to give everything I can for the guys in this building and to be able to go on the field knowing that I prepared the best I could. And for seven years and a half I’ve been an LA Ram and I’ve taken that approach every day.
“And whatever happens outside of that, I’ve been tasked with keeping an eye on what I’m going to keep an eye on. And right now that means being the best Los Angeles Ram I can be.”
Kupp hasn’t played since Week 2, when he sprained his ankle in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. In two games before his injury, he had 18 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown.
Kupp is believed to have participated fully in Tuesday’s practice, which was a walk-through because it’s a short week. He was expected to play Thursday night at home against the Minnesota Vikings.
Kupp, who was not placed on injured reserve, returned to practice last week and was listed as questionable to play in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The veteran catcher said he prepared as if he would play Sunday, including his pregame workout at SoFi Stadium, before being told he was going to be inactive.
“At all times there is confidence, at all times there is confidence that progress is being made toward anticipation,” Kupp said Tuesday. “So that was my way of thinking about it.”
Kupp said he wasn’t sure what his workload would be against the Vikings upon his return, but it was ultimately up to the coaches and coaching staff to decide.
“I don’t like taking off,” Kupp said. “I’d like to play games as much as I can, and that’s becoming my way of thinking… And they’ve given us some guys who have played good football in recent weeks as well, and find out which is the most efficient group, which “It’s the most efficient team of teammates, how it takes to get those guys in and take off, whatever it takes to give the LA Rams a ‘W’ is, in the long run, what we have to do.”
Kupp, who missed four games on injured reserve last season due to a hamstring injury, said he felt “confident” in his return.
“Having the ability to have a full offseason at this event and being able to prepare for that and put the work in place to prepare to go out there, do something at this event,” he said, “I think I’m very confident in having the ability to come back.” now knowing that I have that background and being able to play really perfect football games.”
