The Los Angeles Rams are set to get an important player back on the field for Thursday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Cooper Kupp should make his long-awaited return to the offense.
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According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the veteran receiver is officially off the injury report. He is on track to play in his first game since suffering an ankle injury against the Arizona Cardinals.
"Officially, ready to roll, back in the lineup for the first time since he suffered his ankle injury back in Week 2," Pelissero said about Kupp on Thursday morning. "That certainly is a huge piece of the Rams offense that they've been missing.
"Could it be the last time we see Cooper Kupp in a Rams uniform? He has been the subject of trade talks in recent weeks, but he will be suiting up (Thursday) at SoFi Stadium."
The Rams' 15th-ranked passing offense has suffered without Kupp in the lineup. Tutu Atwell leads the team with 332 yards while Jordan Whittington is second with 201 yards. Neither player has a receiving touchdown.
Kupp, who topped 1,900 yards in 2021, has 1,549 receiving yards and 11 touches across the last two seasons despite only appearing in 21 games. He tallied 147 yards and one touchdown this season before his injury.
Kupp is not the only member of the offense who could make a return this week against the Vikings. The Rams also designated receiver Puka Nacua to return from Injured Reserve.
The second-year pro made his return to practice this week, and the Rams gave him a Questionable designation for the NFC matchup.
"My understanding is there is now optimism that Puka Nacua could play tonight," Pelissero added. "He's not going to go out there, probably, and play 70 snaps. He's only had one real practice."
The Rams will make official announcements about Kupp and Nacua with the release of the inactives list roughly 90 minutes before the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.
