Injury troubles continue to plague the Los Angeles Rams. After star receiver Cooper Kupp suffered a high ankle sprain against the Cardinals on Sunday. Most of us expected him to miss an extended period of the season. However, among the sea of bad injury news churning out of Los Angeles. The Rams could breathe a sigh of relief as Kupp avoids the injury reserve.

As reported by Ian Rapoport, the Rams have opted against putting their wide receiver in the reserves that keep players out of action for a minimum of four games. This comes as a precaution to help the swelling calm while allowing him to ease a comeback into the starting lineup. Although the Pro Bowler will miss the next few games against the 49ers and Bears, his injury is not season-ending as initially feared.

When asked to comment on Kupp’s return to the starting lineup, head coach Sean McVay stated, “I don’t want to put any expectations on- I know he’s going to want to be back as soon as he can. But I don’t want to put any expectations or unnecessary things on him. He’s going to do everything in his power to get back, whenever that is.” With Kupp seemingly racing against time to make his return to the gridiron, offensive linesman Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III couldn’t avoid the injury reserve.

Suffering from shoulder injuries, both players found themselves added to the injury reserve on Wednesday. But they are not the only ones who have made their way to the Rams treatment table. Starters Steve Avila, Darious Williams and Puka Nacua continue to face a lengthy time on the sidelines. Elsewhere, backup players like Joe Noteboom, Tre Tomlinson, Larrell Murchison, KT Leveston, Conor McDermott and Derion Kendrick happen to remain on the injury reserve.

However, the big question in Los Angeles is the loss of Cooper Kupp. Will his absence affect the Rams’ season, which is 0-2 going into the third week of the regular season?

Can the Rams cope without Cooper Kupp on their offense?

Since beginning his NFL career in 2017, Kupp has missed 27 games for the Rams, citing multiple injury troubles. This would be the third season in his time in Los Angeles where Cooper misses time on the playing field. Well, this is not the first time Kupp has had a high ankle sprain.

Back in 2022, the Rams WR missed eight games while needing surgery on his ankle troubles. And it didn’t stop as Kupp started 2023 on the injury reserves, fighting a hamstring injury. However, he did come back strong while finishing last season with 59 receptions for 737 yards and five TDs.

Even in 2021, when the Rams won the Super Bowl title, beating the Bengals, he wasn’t healthy. But it didn’t stop the WR from having the best season in his career to date. Having caught 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 TDs, his importance to the Rams was proven that season. However, going forward, will the Rams manage to turn around their season without Kupp on the offense? Only time will tell as the Rams find themselves staring at the barrel for positives.