Los Angeles Rams suffer triple hammer blow as extent of Cooper Kupp injury confirmed

The Los Angeles Rams roster has been decimated after just two weeks of the new NFL season, as wide receiver Cooper Kupp is now a candidate for injured reserve .

Head coach Sean McVay has confirmed that Kupp, the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year, is expected to miss "an extended period of time" after suffering an ankle injury in Sunday's defeat to the Arizona Cardinals . Kupp had four receptions before exiting the game and caught 14 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown in Week 1.

Guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III also suffered shoulder injuries against the Cardinals, and have been placed on IR. They join starting cornerback Darious Williams in the treatment room, and the three starters that suffered injuries in Week 1.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is now left with limited options at wide receiver as Puka Nacua suffered a knee injury in the Week 1 defeat to the Detroit Lions. Nacua had been dealing with knee issues in preseason and is now expected to miss between five and seven weeks.

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Offensive tackle Joe Noteboom and guard Steve Avila also suffered injuries in Week 1, and have since been placed on IR. If things couldn't get any worse, right guard Kevin Dotson has been playing through a foot injury.

The Rams are already 0-2 after losing in overtime against the Lions in Week 1, before a blowout 41-10 defeat to the Cardinals on Sunday. With a stripped roster, McVay will have to inspire those remaining with the San Francisco 49ers up next in Week 3.

McVay was brief in his postgame press conference after losing to the Cardinals, with both the result and more injury problems playing on his mind. "There's nothing positive about it," McVay stated when being asked if there was anything he could take away from Sunday's defeat. "The only positive thing is that this game is over now and we can move forward."

With Kupp and Nacua both out for considerable time, McVay's main focus will be to get Stafford and the stand-in receivers on the same page.

DeMarcus Robinson is the last remaining starter in the wide receiver room, with Tyler Johnson and Tutu Atwell set to receive elevated roles. Jordan Whittington is also an option but other than that the Rams are left extremely short.

Running back Kyren Williams remains fit, so could act as a dual-threat in the offense if the Rams see him as a trusted option in the air. But elsewhere in the offensive line, the Rams are trusting that Logan Bruss can stay fit, with all other left guard options out for several weeks.

Those on IR currently will be in contention to return for Week 7 when the Rams face the Las Vegas Raiders. If there is any positives to take for McVay and the Rams, they have an early bye week, meaning there is no game scheduled for Week 6.