Who steps up for Los Angeles Rams with WR Cooper Kupp out for the year?

The Los Angeles Rams have been hit with some awful news today as WR Cooper Kupp has been diagnosed with a torn ACL (per report) and will miss the remainder of the season including the playoffs.

Kupp will finish his 2018 season with eight games played, 40 receptions, 566 yards, and six touchdowns. All in all, it’s been a rough season for Kupp health wise. Kupp (as well as Brandin Cooks) was knocked out of the showdown in week five against Seattle by a concussion. He then returned the following week against Denver and was horse collared by Broncos defender (and former Ram) SS Darian Stewart, hurt his MCL, and proceeded to miss two more weeks before returning in week nine against New Orleans.

In Kupp’s absence, WR Josh Reynolds was the main beneficiary registering seven receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns. TE Gerald Everett also chipped in with seven receptions for 65 yards.

You might ask why I singled out those two players?

Well, it’s because I think the collective effort to try and replace Kupp’s production will come from Reynolds and Everett. Everett has found himself more involved as the weeks go bye (as well as TE Tyler Higbee) and Reynolds has shown on multiple occasions that he can fill in effectively. Everett’s specialty is essentially playing as a big-bodied wide receiver who has dangerous speed and superb yards-after-catch ability. Reynolds is a longer and lankier receiver who’s specialty comes with being a jump-ball receiver, though he’s shown he has the ability to uncover and gain yardage with the ball in his hands too.

The loss of Kupp hurts, there’s no doubt about it. He’s QB Jared Goff’s safety valve and one of the best route runners in football. His strong hands, knowledge of the game, and precise route running allow Kupp to be open more often than not. Regardless of who steps in to replace him, the Rams offense will lose a certain part of their “magical touch”, but they’re still lucky to be able to deploy WR’s Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods.

The loss of Cooper Kupp hurts, and not just the team, but a great player and guy. Luckily to this point the Rams have generally been able to avoid season-ending injuries, but this is the inevitable part of the game that good teams need to overcome.