Seahawks vs. Rams: Cooper Kupp OUT for Week 1

The Seattle Seahawks won’t have to face Los Angeles Rams star receiver Cooper Kupp in Sunday’s season opener.

The Seattle Seahawks will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at Lumen Field in the season opener, but will do so without having to face one of the best offensive players in the league.

Rams coach Sean McVay revealed Wednesday that star receiver Cooper Kupp has been ruled out of Sunday’s game due to a lingering hamstring injury. McVay didn’t rule out the possibility of Kupp being placed on IR to begin the season.

"Not much more information ... just dealing with some soft tissue stuff,” McVay said of Kupp, per The Athletic.

Kupp has established himself as one of the best receivers in the NFL after his incredible 2021 season. Along with winning Offensive Player of the Year and leading the league in all three major receiving categories, Kupp helped lead the Rams to a win in Super Bowl LVI before being named Super Bowl MVP.

But the Rams will now have to lean on a younger receiving corps of Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek and Tutu Atwell. Though the Seahawks defensive backs will still need to be on their toes regardless, not having to face Kupp makes things a whole easier.

“I think you just move forward, and you've got to be able to operate with the situation and the guys that we do have," McVay said of Kupp earlier in the week. “And if he's able to go, then that's outstanding for us, and if not, then that's how we've been operating.”

The Rams and Seahawks will kickoff from Lumen Field on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT.