Rams’ Cooper Kupp (hamstring) ruled out against Seahawks

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will not play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks as he continues to suffer from a hamstring injury, head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday.

Kupp first suffered a hamstring injury Aug. 1 while training at training camp and suffered a setback last week.

“He has soft tissue issues,” McVay said. “[We’re] I’m just trying to make him feel like he’s back to normal. And when it does eventually happen, we’ll get it back. But in the meantime, he won’t play for us.”

“I know he really wants to be there and we want him to be there, but we don’t want to rush anything.”

McVay hasn’t ruled out placing Kupp on injured reserve until Saturday, which would mean he’ll be out for at least the first four games of the season.

“You wish he could go, but I have a lot of faith in the guys,” McVay said. “It’s something we’ve probably thought was a situation for a while now, so it’s not something new for us.”

McVay said Kupp’s journey with his hamstring injury didn’t follow “standard protocol when you re-aggravate a soft tissue injury.”

“[We’re] “I’m trying to continue to figure out exactly what it’s about so it can feel like the Cooper we know and love again,” McVay said. “And I hope we get there.”

McVay also ruled out rookie quarterback Stetson Bennett, who is suffering from a shoulder injury. McVay said quarterback Brett Rypien will back up quarterback Matthew Stafford for Week 1.

Kupp had 75 catches for 812 yards and six touchdowns in nine games before a season-ending ankle injury. The previous year, Kupp had won the NFL’s receiving triple crown, leading the league in catches (145), receiving yards (1,947), and touchdowns (16).

“It’s a unique situation to say the least,” McVay said. “But in terms of exactly how you would like him to deal with the things he can control, I think he’s done a great job. He’s stayed committed, he’s showing the way he can in this. moment, even if he can’t be there with his teammates. And so, I’m really happy and proud of that and I hope he can come back with us as soon as possible.