Kupp scores in return; McVay expects WR to remain

by Anthony S. Hansen
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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — For the primary time since Week 1, the Los Angeles Rams had receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua again on the sector collectively within the group’s 30-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday evening.

Head coach Sean McVay would really like it to remain that method. Amid reviews that the Rams had approached groups about buying and selling Kupp earlier than the Nov. 5 commerce deadline, McVay mentioned he was “actually glad” to have Kupp again on the sector.

“And that is what I anticipate to remain that method,” McVay mentioned.

Kupp, who had been out since spraining his ankle in Week 2, had 5 catches for 51 yards and a landing. Nacua led the group with seven catches for 106 yards on 9 targets.

“Groups reached out,” McVay mentioned when requested concerning the commerce hypothesis. “Among the issues that I’ve seen on the market, they’re simply not true.”

Kupp mentioned he is “not fascinated by that stuff,” however mentioned he thought there was one thing “form of cool about all that stuff occurring exterior of the ability, however on a brief week, each minute spent making ready, making an attempt to prepare to come back out right here and play.”

“And so it gave me the chance to focus in on simply being the place my toes are, having the ability to put together as finest I can and are available out right here and let it rip,” Kupp mentioned. “And all that stuff is what it’s.”

Whereas the Rams anticipated to get Kupp again after he was inactive in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7, the group stored Nacua’s return nearer to the vest. Nacua sprained his PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) in Week 1 and was positioned on injured reserve. The Rams began his 21-day apply window to return from IR on Tuesday and activated him earlier than the sport on Thursday.

McVay mentioned he came upon Monday from vp of sports activities drugs and efficiency Reggie Scott that there was an opportunity Nacua may play on Thursday slightly than ready till Week 9 in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks.

“[Nacua] mentioned, ‘I do not know, I am feeling fairly good,'” McVay mentioned. “He went and had a exercise session the place he ran routes and did an incredible job. His motion appeared good. I talked to him and I mentioned, ‘do you need to attempt to give this factor a shot?’ And he mentioned sure.”

McVay, who has preached the significance of “return to efficiency” vs. “return to play” when discussing gamers getting back from damage, mentioned Nacua “had proven that he was prepared for that efficiency.”

“And this man’s mindset, his mentality … He is a warfare daddy, he is a stud,” McVay mentioned. “I really like his play power and what he brings. He was able to go tonight and he made a big effect on the sport.”

As a result of it was a brief week with the sport on Thursday evening, Nacua wasn’t in a position to participate in a padded apply. Quarterback Matthew Stafford mentioned he had thrown Nacua “one, perhaps two balls in apply this week, and that is the primary time for the reason that first recreation.”

It was Nacua’s eighth profession recreation with 100 receiving yards in 19 profession video games. In accordance with ESPN Analysis, that is tied with Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson for second-most inside a participant’s first 20 profession video games within the Tremendous Bowl period.

The Rams scored a season-high 30 factors on Sunday, snapping a streak of 10 consecutive video games with fewer than 30 factors, in response to ESPN Analysis.

And whereas McVay mentioned “all people had a hand” within the victory tonight, there is no doubt of the “spark” and “power” the return of Kupp and Nacua dropped at the offense.

“There is a confidence, there is a consolation, there is a rapport that is been established with Matthew [Stafford] and Cooper [Kupp] over time after which Puka [Nacua] and Matthew final 12 months after which main into this season,” McVay mentioned. “And so these guys are ballers.

“And Matthew introduced out one of the best in all people. However I assumed Puka and Cooper had been able to go. They made an influence.”

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