Cooper Kupp has unfortunately gone down with a season-ending ACL injury. Kupp as emerged as an important target for the Rams’ offense and quarterback Jared Goff. At 6’2″, Kupp has the size and ability of a top-tier NFL wide receiver. So, what does this injury mean for the Rams’ offense?
Kupp has amassed 40 receptions, 566 yards, and six touchdowns through just eight games this season. He was on pace for a stat line that would’ve put him in the Pro Bowl conversation. This high-powered offense has many weapons including Todd Gurley, Robert Woods, and Brandin Cooks. All of these players have played a more significant role in the Rams’ offense, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Cooper Kupp won’t be missed.
As a taller wide receiver, Kupp has been looked at many times in the red zone and has thrived there as well (shown by his six TDs on the season). However, their tight ends have only accounted for three touchdowns on the season. This means that the only players who were truly significant in this offense were Gurley, Kupp, Cooks, Woods, and of course, Jared Goff. Kupp was their only red zone threat as a WR.
He may not have been the most important receiver on the Rams’ offense, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t valued. When the smaller receivers (Cooks and Woods) weren’t open, Kupp was one of the go-to guys for Goff. With this injury, Goff is now left with just one tall target. RB Todd Gurley will be looked at even more often than he was before. He has averaged over 23 touches per game, which is already a hefty workload. The Rams can’t afford to use Gurley any more than they already are if they expect to have the playoff run that they seem to be destined for.
With Kupp out, Jared Goff has only one target over 6’0″ to go to. Could this mean that the Rams are in trouble without Kupp? I don’t think so, considering just how high-powered and versatile this offense is. Losing a great wide receiver like Kupp is never good for any team, but with the power and depth of this offense, I don’t see this Rams offense taking a huge hit from Kupp’s injury.