Rams WR Cooper Kupp Visits Specialist After Hamstring Setback

Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp could miss Week 1 with a hamstring injury

The Los Angeles Rams are just a week away from their season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, yet it remains to be seen if star receiver Cooper Kupp will be joining them.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rappoport, Kupp flew to Minnesota on Saturday to meet with a body specialist for injury treatment. Kupp first suffered a hamstring injury on Aug. 1, and suffered what coach Sean McVay called "a setback" earlier this week.

Our story on https://t.co/iLSuC0HswN on #Rams WR Cooper Kupp visiting a specialist for his hamstring and why Week 1 is appearing less likely. https://t.co/WlhFm7ybTx

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 3, 2023

Before this "setback," it seemed as if Kupp was on the right path to playing in Week 1. The star receiver outright declared that he was planning on playing in the opener just before the Rams' preseason finale against the Denver Broncos.

"Being able to be out there and see things live and going through those reps and feeling them out from day one to two to three to four now, the game just slows down," Kupp said on Aug. 24. "So that's why I'm saying, going out there Week 1 would be tough not having that opportunity to see those reps... So, [I] feel good about what kind of path we're on now."

© Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY

Now, though, it seems more and more likely that his return will instead come at a later date. On Thursday, coach Sean McVay said that he did not know whether Kupp would be available for the opener or not.

"There's a difference between return to play and return to performance," McVay said. "We want a return to performance for Cooper Kupp and we know how special of a player, special of a person he is. Whether that be Sept. 10 or not we'll continue to monitor that and control what we can control.”

Injuries have unfortunately been a trend for Kupp, as he has only played a full season twice in his six-year career. His worst injuries came in 2018, when he tore his ACL halfway through the season, and 2022, when he missed eight games with a high ankle sprain that required surgery.

When he has been on the field, though, Kupp has been one of the league's elite receivers. His best season came in 2021, when he led the league with 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns to win Offensive Player of the Year. He then continued his monster season in the playoffs with an NFL postseason record 33 receptions for 478 yards and six touchdowns in four games, winning Super Bowl MVP in the process.

Kupp is easily the Rams' best offensive weapon, and they only hope that he'll be available for the opener. That said, they would definitely prefer for him to take his time coming back as opposed to rushing his return and risking further injury.