Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay spoke for many fans when he called quarterback Matthew Stafford "such a f--king stud" after Sunday's 27-24 comeback victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

The MMQB's Albert Breer relayed the comment from McVay, who awarded Stafford a game ball in the locker room.

Wait until the end. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/OLXj191vhM

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 23, 2024

Stafford threw for 221 yards and one touchdown, which are numbers that don't exactly jump off the page. But the two-time Pro Bowler was without his two best wide receivers (Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua) and lined up behind an offensive line that missed three starters (Jonah Jackson, Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom).

Los Angeles was the clear underdog entering Week 3 and San Francisco appeared to be cruising to an easy win when it jumped ahead 14-0 in the first quarter. Instead, the Rams clawed their way back despite having so many key players injured.

That felt like a culture win for the #Rams. Despite brutal injuries to start the year, there’s now a long-standing tradition of bounce-back football there under Sean McVay.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 22, 2024

Stafford was instrumental in setting up the game-tying score late in the fourth quarter. His 50-yard pass to Tutu Atwell put the offense in a 1st-and-goal situation.

STAFFORD AIRS IT OUT TO PUT THE RAMS INSIDE THE FIVE

📺: #SFvsLAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/X9yWriGbcy

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

Then the veteran signal-caller was savvy enough to test 49ers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell on a throw that resulted in a pass interference and moved the ball 25 yards down the field. That eventually gave Joshua Karty a chip shot for a game-winning field goal.

I just rewatched the game. The 49ers haven't been that poor defensively since 2018 — before they acquired legitimate edge rushers. The coverage was abysmal, and by having De'Vondre Campbell in perimeter coverage 25 yards downfield at crunch time, they were just asking Stafford to…

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 23, 2024

Stafford is now tied with Drew Brees for the fifth-most fourth-quarter comebacks (36) all time. He seemingly thrives in adversity and regularly rises to the occasion in critical moments.

Thanks in large part to the 36-year-old, Rams fans have renewed belief this can be a playoff team even with all of the injuries.

The Los Angeles Rams didn't lead for 59 minutes in Sunday's game against the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers, but they escaped with a dramatic 27-24 victory for their first win of the season.

Trailing by as many as 14 points in the game and by 10 points with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Rams showed their resiliency by taking advantage of the 49ers' miscues. After a missed field goal by 49ers kicker Jake Moody, Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a 50-yard to Tutu Atwell that set up Kyren Williams for the game-tying touchdown.

When San Francisco's ensuing drive ended in a punt, Xavier Smith returned the ball 38 yards to the 50-yard line. A defensive pass interference penalty got the Rams into field-goal range, and Joshua Karty connected on a 37-yard kick with two seconds left on the clock. The 49ers' attempt at a miraculous set of lateral passes eventually came up short.

Stafford threw for 221 yards and a touchdown in the win, and Williams added two touchdowns on the ground and caught Stafford's touchdown pass.

Fans on social media were blown away by the Rams pulling off one of the most unlikely wins of the year so far:

McVay has had some great wins in his career but considering the circumstances, this is easily one of the most impressive coaching jobs he’s ever done.

Absolutely remarkable that the banged up Rams won this game.

(and yes the Niners also blew it, two things can be true)

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) September 22, 2024

The Rams with none of their star players > The 49ers with none of their star players

Sean McVay is a hell of a coach

— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) September 22, 2024

The Rams are in position to steal this game from the Niners. Incredible. One team making plays, the other refusing to do so.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) September 22, 2024

Rams take the lead with 2 seconds to go!

📺: #SFvsLAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/zrO7D49QLM

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

pic.twitter.com/QmnQHrBFNa

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) September 22, 2024

The final play of 49ers vs. Rams. What a game. pic.twitter.com/ys8eVwLCZq

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

https://twitter.com/LEGENDSOFS82332/status/1838002047733436526

The Rams were coming off a disappointing 41-10 blowout loss against the Arizona Cardinals, so Sunday's win was a much-needed dose of positivity that should help the team get back on track.

Los Angeles will try to continue riding the high of Sunday's gritty victory when it returns to action in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will wear a cast for a "week or so" while recovering from a high ankle sprain he suffered on Sunday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Kupp has not been placed on injured reserve and could return within four games, Rapoport noted.

The Rams are set to face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at home.

"I don't want to put any expectations or unnecessary things on him," McVay said about Kupp on Wednesday, per Stu Jackson of the team website. "He's going to do everything in his power to get back. Whenever that is, we'll be excited about that and happy for him."

Kupp suffered the injury in the second quarter of last week's 41-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He was seen wearing a walking boot on his left leg after the game, per The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue.

His loss on Sunday would be a significant blow for the 0-2 Rams, especially because second-year wideout Puka Nacua was placed on the injured reserve ahead of Week 2 with a strained PCL.

Rapoport previously reported that Nacua could be out for the Rams until Week 9 depending on how his knee heals.

Without Nacua, Kupp received the majority of targets from quarterback Matthew Stafford on Sunday, making four catches for 37 yards prior to the injury.

During the Rams' season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions, Kupp made 14 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for another score.

Now Stafford is likely heading into Week 3 and attempting to earn his team's first win of the season likely missing both of his top wideouts.

Without Rupp the Rams would need to turn to Tyler Johnson, who has already taken on a larger role in Nacua's absence, and Demarcus Robinson, who served as a fourth-string receiver for the team last season.

Those aren't the only injuries the Rams are dealing with. Los Angeles are currently set to take on their NFC West opponent without injured players including tight end Tyler Higbee, offensive tackles Joe Noteboom, KT Leveston and Conor McDermott, offensive guard Steve Avila, cornerback Darious Williams and safety John Johnson III.

This is the third straight season during which Kupp has battled injury following his 1,947-passing-yard All-Pro campaign in 2021.

Kupp missed eight games at the end of the 2022 season with a high ankle sprain that necessitated surgery, then was sidelined for four games at the beginning of the 2023 campaign with a hamstring injury.

McVay will hope Kupp is able to return more quickly from his most recent injury as Stafford and the Rams look to climb out of their 0-2 season start.

The Los Angeles Rams aren't placing wide receiver Cooper Kupp on injured reserve as he deals with a left ankle sprain, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

An IR designation would require Kupp to miss a minimum of four games before he could be activated again. By declining that option, the Rams are signaling their confidence in having him back within the next four weeks.

Rams fans and fantasy football managers everywhere immediately grew worried when the 2021 All-Pro exited Los Angeles' 41-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. The concern grew when head coach Sean McVay included Kupp in a group of players who are expected to miss "an extended period of time."

Coach McVay provides injury updates on Cooper Kupp, Jonah Jackson and John Johnson III. pic.twitter.com/huPyGbjrF8

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 16, 2024

The team may have dodged a bullet with its standout pass-catcher at least.

An offseason hamstring injury cost Kupp the first four weeks of 2023, and his production fell below its usual standard when he suited up. His 62.1 percent catch rate was a career low, per Pro Football Reference, and he averaged his second-fewest receiving yards per game (61.4).

The 31-year-old looked to be back to his best in a Week 1 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions. He hauled in 14 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.

But the injury bug got to him again, and it couldn't come at a worse time for the Rams, who did have to put wideout Puka Nacua on IR because of a PCL strain.

Only two games in, the injuries are already piling up for L.A.

The Los Angeles Rams are down another wide receiver.

Head coach Sean McVay told reporters on Monday that star Cooper Kupp is expected to miss "an extended period of time" and could be placed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury.

The Rams are already without fellow wideout Puka Nacua, who is on injured reserve due to a PCL strain.

Kupp injured his ankle in the second quarter and didn't play in the second half of his team's 41-10 blowout loss against the Arizona Cardinals. The injury appeared to occur during a 24-yard reception, his fourth of the contest. After the game, he was seen in a walking boot.

"[Kupp] ran across the field, did a really nice job, and then was limping a little bit," quarterback Matthew Stafford told reporters on Sunday. "And he doesn't usually limp for too long. Sometimes you get stepped on and you limp for a minute and walk one off. But we will see what that is. Obviously a huge part of our team and a huge part of our offense."

It has been a tough start to the season for the Rams, who are beset by injuries:

The Rams are now without these starters for multiple weeks:
WR Cooper Kupp
WR Puka Nacua
CB Darious Williams
LG/C Jonah Jackson
LG/C Steve Avila
Backup swing tackle Joe Noteboom
S John Johnson III

RG Kevin Dotson is playing through a foot injury.

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 16, 2024

Meanwhile, the receiver room is down to Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell and rookie Jordan Whittington. That's a severe downgrade for Stafford, who started the season with one of the best receiving duos in football in Kupp and Nacua.

Injuries have been a recurring issue for Kupp, meanwhile, as he missed 15 games between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. That followed a legendary 2021 campaign that saw him lead the NFL in catches (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16) in what was one of the greatest seasons for a wideout in NFL history.

That year, he was named a Pro Bowler, first-team All-Pro selection and the Offensive Player of the Year. It appeared he was on his way to a multiyear run as the game's top wideout, but injuries have prevented him from taking that mantle.

This year, he leads the NFL in receptions (18) despite only playing six quarters, a sign that he was on his way to another big year before the injury bug bit yet again. And now the Rams, at 0-2 to start the year, will need to find a way to generate offense without their top two weapons in the passing game.

The Los Angeles Rams' receiving corps was already depleted with Puka Nacua sidelined due to a sprained PCL, but it took another blow in Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Rams star receiver Cooper Kupp suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter and was considered doubtful to return, per ESPN's Sarah Barshop.\

Barshop noted that Kupp was in a boot after the game.

Kupp had four receptions for 37 yards before exiting Sunday's game. Barshop noted that the 31-year-old "walked off the field to the locker room at halftime with a noticeable limp."

Kupp was seen exiting the locker room after the game with a boot on his left foot, per The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue.

Kupp got the 2024 season started in a big way when he reeled in 14 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' season opener against the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, his performance wasn't enough for a victory as Los Angeles fell 26-20 in overtime.

The NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 after leading the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, Kupp has struggled to stay healthy since then. A high ankle sprain that required surgery limited him to nine games in 2022, and he began the 2023 season on injured reserve due to a hamstring issue before appearing in 12 games.

Kupp's injury is compounded by the absence of Nacua, who was forced to exit against the Lions after recording four catches for 35 yards. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the 23-year-old is expected to miss "between five and seven weeks." If Kupp is forced to miss time, it could be tough sledding for the Rams in the competitive NFC.

Veteran wide receivers Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson will be among those who have to pick up the slack while Kupp is sidelined.

The Los Angeles Rams might be without wide receiver Puka Nacua for five to seven weeks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Nacua suffered a PCL sprain in the Rams' 26-20 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 1. The team placed him on injured reserve as a result, and head coach Sean McVay acknowledged he could miss more than the four games that's required for an IR designation.

The 23-year-old had a breakout rookie campaign, going from the fifth round of the NFL draft to the Pro Bowl. He caught 105 passes for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns to help carry the passing game while Cooper Kupp worked his way back from a hamstring injury.

Some Rams fans will have expected the worst after Nacua was carted back to the locker room after being evaluated on the sideline. A PCL sprain is better than some of the alternatives.

The uncertain nature of Nacua's recovery timeline is obviously a concern, as is the fact the injury is an aggravation of something that kept him out for a few weeks in the preseason.

"The Rams want to make sure they're careful with Nacua and not rush him back," Schefter wrote. "The team wants to do whatever is needed to ensure there are no more setbacks to the injury that Nacua initially suffered early in training camp."

Kupp had 14 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown in the Lions loss. Los Angeles knows it can count on the 2021 All-Pro until Nacua returns. But it's up to either Demarcus Robinson or Tyler Johnson to assume a larger role to ensure the offense doesn't regress too much.

The Los Angeles Rams will be without Puka Nacua for at least four weeks after they placed the wide receiver on injured reserve with a PCL sprain, but he could be sidelined for longer than that.

Rams head coach Sean McVay revealed Wednesday that the unique nature of Nacua's injury means he could be "out longer than that, we'll see," per Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic.

Los Angeles fans can at least take solace knowing McVay previously told reporters there are no plans for the wide receiver to undergo surgery. Instead, he will go through a process of rest and rehab as he looks to return to the field.

This is quite the setback for the NFC West team, which was surely looking forward to an entire season of Nacua and Cooper Kupp making life difficult on opposing secondaries.

Kupp didn't make his season debut until October in 2023, but Nacua helped fill in and ultimately turned in a dominant rookie campaign on the way to 105 catches for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns.

He was one of the biggest surprises in the entire NFL considering the Rams selected him out of BYU with a fifth-round pick.

Kupp certainly looked ready to help make up for his absence, though, considering he finished with 14 catches for 110 yards and one touchdown on a head-turning 21 targets in the season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions.

The Rams can also mix in more targets for Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson as they look to stay afloat during what could ultimately be an important stretch of their schedule.

They face all NFC competition in the next four weeks without Nacua with games against the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. They have a bye week after that, so Nacua will at least have some extra time to recover.

Still, it remains to be seen whether he will be in the lineup for the Week 7 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Puka Nacua's sophomore season with the Los Angeles Rams was disrupted by a knee injury during a loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football.

Nacua was eventually placed on injured reserve due to a PCL sprain, meaning that he won't be able to return to the field for at least four weeks.

From a fantasy football perspective, the 23-year-old's upcoming absence is a tough blow for managers after he emerged as a breakout star in 2023. As a fifth-round pick, Nacua hauled in 105 catches for 1,486 yards in his rookie year.

While it's extremely difficult to replace his production, here are some potential waiver additions that could help mitigate the loss of the Rams receiver until he's able to return.

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Los Angeles Rams WR Demarcus Robinson

Cooper Kupp is still expected to operate as Matthew Stafford's top target in Los Angeles' offense, but Demarcus Robinson could step up in Nacua's absence.

The veteran receiver has remained a consistent backup option throughout his career, surpassing 440 yards in three of the past five seasons. Robinson was targeted seven times on Sunday night, hauling in four catches for 42 yards.

He has some experience in a larger role with Los Angeles. Robinson appeared in over 60 percent of the Rams' offensive snaps in four contests during his 2023 campaign, per Pro Football Reference. Over those four appearances, he racked up 264 yards and three touchdowns.

He's available in 94 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues and 86 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues.

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Los Angeles Rams WR Tyler Johnson

Tyler Johnson is also a candidate for an expanded role in head coach Sean McVay's offense. The former fifth-round pick finished as Los Angeles' second-leading receiver against the Lions, recording five catches for 79 yards.

Johnson was also targeted seven times, putting him in a tie with Robinson for the highest mark on the team outside of Kupp. He was targeted seven times in two preseason contests and could be in line for more with Nacua out.

The Arizona Cardinals, the Rams' Week 2 opponent, allowed the ninth-most passing yards among all NFL teams in a Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

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Carolina Panthers WR Adam Thielen

Thielen may be more difficult to acquire in some leagues, although he's still available in 66 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues.

The Panthers were blown out by the final score of 47-10 in their Week 1 matchup with the New Orleans Saints, but Thielen still put together a commendable season debut. He totaled three catches for a team-high 49 yards.

The 34-year-old has a history of starting strong, as he racked up 509 yards and four touchdowns in his first six appearances in the 2023 season.

As Bryce Young attempts to bounce back from throwing two interceptions against New Orleans, he could lean on Thielen even more in the upcoming weeks.

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Indianapolis Colts WR Adonai Mitchell

Mitchell's NFL debut didn't exactly turn heads, as the 2024 second-round pick recorded just one catch for two yards in a 29-27 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.

However, he was targeted five times and nearly hauled in several long passes that would have boosted his fantasy performance. As Mitchell progresses through his rookie season, it's fair to assume that he'll eventually get on the same page with quarterback Anthony Richardson.

He could also benefit from a Colts passing attack that thrived on big plays in Week 1, as Richardson amassed 212 yards through the air on just nine completions.

Mitchell could be a risky addition, but he might also help fantasy owners if he remains a top target for Richardson. He's currently available in 68 percent of Yahoo leagues and 65 percent of ESPN leagues.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua exited Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions early, and now he will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks.

Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters Monday that Nacua suffered a PCL sprain and will be placed on the injured reserve.

#Rams WR Puka Nacua’s PCL injury will land him on IR, Sean McVay clarifies, so he’ll miss at least four games. It’s a new, more significant injury to the same ligament he’d previously injured.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 9, 2024

The update came after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the receiver "aggravated his summer knee injury" and was considered "week to week."

McVay said it was a more significant injury to the same ligament and added the plan is for Nacua to rest and rehab instead of undergoing surgery.

The 23-year-old suffered the injury in the first half and briefly returned before he exited. While he walked to the sideline, he ended up leaving the field on a cart:

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been ruled out for the rest of the game with a knee injury. pic.twitter.com/lES3rjPhxY

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) September 9, 2024

Los Angeles ended up forcing overtime without him after falling behind 17-3, but it ultimately failed to come up with a key defensive stop to ice the game. Detroit drove into field-goal range in the final minute to force the extra period and then relied on its offensive line and running back David Montgomery to score the winning touchdown in overtime.

Matthew Stafford never got a chance to touch the ball in overtime despite throwing for 317 yards, one touchdown and one interception even with one of his top targets sidelined for most of the game.

Nacua was one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season.

Los Angeles selected him out of BYU with a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, and he immediately burst onto the scene as a rookie Pro Bowler with 105 catches for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns.

He helped the team stay afloat before Cooper Kupp made his season debut in October and seemed primed to take another step in his second year.

Alas, he will now be out for at least the next four games, which are all against NFC competition. The Rams face the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers in the next four contests and will likely need to rely even more on Kupp during those games.

Look for Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson to see more opportunities as well.