Cooper Kupp is Valuing the Mental Reps While He Nears Full Recovery

Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp is still recovering from an ACL tear last season, but he should be ready to return to the field by Week 1.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When the topic of injury recovery for the Los Angeles Rams comes up, Todd Gurley is usually who gets mentioned first. 

However, another star offensive player in LA is on the mend, and he is looking to be ready to go come fall. 

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp is getting ready to play. After tearing his ACL in Week 10 of the 2018 season, Kupp has spent the last handful of months rehabbing and strengthening his knee with his eyes on Week 1 of the schedule. According to TheRams.com, Kupp looks like he will be ready to play against the Carolina Panthers to open the season. 

Throughout the OTA periods this spring, the team has found ways to involve Kupp in workouts, though he is not yet cleared for a full workload. Still, half-speed reps can go a long way in getting a rusty player back in the mental habits needed to be ready by fall. 

“I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be in the huddle again, break a huddle, get out there and see a defense out in front of me,” Kupp said. “It’s one of those things that I think is underrated, is the repetitions, even when you aren’t going full-speed, being able to see a defense and make decisions based on what they are showing you and then being able to make a decision once the ball is snapped.”

As long as Kupp is able to keep the rehab ball rolling and there are no unexpected setbacks, the LA Rams should expect to have one of their most important WR threats on the field when the 2019 season kicks off.