Without Cooper Kupp, Who Do Rams Turn To At WR?

The Los Angeles Rams' next-best wide receiver had less than half of Cooper Kupp's receiving total in 2022, and with his injury, which pass-catcher will rise to the top?

The Los Angeles Rams are currently without one of the best wide receivers in football in Cooper Kupp, who underwent an MRI after suffering a hamstring injury in practice Tuesday.

Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur didn't give a timetable for a return, calling Kupp "day-to-day" Thursday. However, the fast-approaching season doesn't come to a halt for the Rams with their star receiver out. They will still have to find the right pieces to replace the gaping void in production if he is sidelined to start the year.

The one question that remains: how have things been going in the wide receiver room in Kupp's absence?

"It's only been two practices, but he wasn't here all spring, so for those guys to be able to move around, get Tutu (Atwell) in at F, shuffle some guys around, they're used to it," LaFleur said. "In some aspects, you always want one of the best in the world out there, but in other aspects, there's other guys that are having to step up and play some positions they're not familiar with."

This isn't Kupp's first bout with the injury bug, missing the final eight games of last season with an ankle injury. The 30-year-old was coming off arguably the greatest receiving season in NFL history and, based on his per-game averages before his injury, was set to lead the league in receptions and finish third in yards.

When taking a glass-half-full outlook on Kupp's injury as LaFleur alluded to, this allows for receivers like Atwell, Van Jefferson, Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson and even rookie Puka Nacua to get more first-team repetitions at different spots in the formation.

Atwell didn't garner anywhere in the same ballpark the amount of volume as Kupp, but when he did reel in a pass, everyone knew it, averaging 16.6 yards per reception, which was the most of any Rams receiver with 10 catches last season. LaFleur said Atwell's growth in his mental approach to the game will aid his on-field play.

"He's just locked in and to the point where he is in meetings and he's absorbing all the information, but also, 'Hey, what about this play off of this?'" LaFleur said. "He's a smart football player and that's what's given him the ability to be so versatile. Obviously, his athletic ability is going to help him out there when that ball is snapped, but being able to just be versatile in this offense is a huge thing."

As for Jefferson, he's looking for a resurgence after an injury-riddled 2022 season dropped his production total down to what it was his rookie year.

His drop-off was in stark contrast to his 2021 season in which he set career-highs 50 catches, 802 yards and six touchdowns.

LaFleur said they're not worried about chasing numbers, though. Instead, he wants Jefferson to be "the best he can be."

LaFleur noted that Jefferson has exhibited more leadership this offseason.

"You got to be your own personality, a leader within your own personality," LaFleur said. "Van's a professional. He has the respect of this locker room. He has the respect of the receivers, the coaches, this organization. He comes to work every single day. He busts his butt, and that's all you can ask from these guys."

Now, on to some of the newcomers.

Robinson joins the Rams after six years in Kansas City and one in Baltimore. He brings 193 receptions, 2,137 yards and 16 touchdowns to Los Angeles, but he also carries along with him a certain intangible that you can't teach.

"He's got a certain swag to him that's contagious," LaFleur said. "Every time he runs a route, he believes he's going to win that route."

Nacua, the rookie from BYU, brings a multi-faceted skillset he exhibited for two years in Provo, UT. The Rams took a flier on Nacua in the fifth round, and LaFleur said he's getting more comfortable in the system after 11 organized team activities and six training camp practices.

LaFleur said he's been impressed with his ability to overcome mistakes.

"When he makes a mistake, he doesn't blink at it," LaFleur said. "He's not looking back at a coach like this, that or the other, just gets in the huddle. He can self-correct. He's not afraid to ask the questions and really, really pleased with where he is at."

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You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419

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