Rams’ Cooper Kupp Suffers Torn ACL
The Rams’ worst fears have been confirmed. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp has been ruled out for the season with a torn ACL, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
Kupp, 25, was in the midst of another strong season with 40 catches for 566 yards and six touchdowns in eight games. Unfortunately, the injury that forced him out of Sunday’s game against the Seahawks will end his season and leave the 9-1 Rams without one of their best weapons.
The third-round pick out of Eastern Washington was a pleasant surprise for the Rams last season as he racked up 62 catches for 869 yards and five scores. This year, before the injury, he was on pace for about 70 catches for 985 yards and ten scores.
The Rams still have plenty of pass-catching ammo thanks to Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, but each player will attract more attention without Kupp on the field. Josh Reynolds, JoJo Natson, KhaDarel Hodge, and Nick Williams are also on the roster, so the Rams might not have to sign another receiver.
Rams Fear Torn ACL For Cooper Kupp
Cooper Kupp left the Rams’ win over the Seahawks with a knee injury, and it appears it’ll be season ending. The Rams fear Kupp tore his ACL, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
It’s devastating news for the Rams, who improved to 9-1 on the season with their victory today. Kupp will almost certainly miss the remainder of the season, which is a big blow to the NFC’s top team. Kupp had suffered a different knee injury earlier this season, and had only recently returned after missing two games.
Kupp left the game with a non-contact knee injury and was immediately ruled out, so it looked grim from the start. Kupp was having a great year before going down, catching 35 passes for 527 yards and six touchdowns in less than seven full games.
Even with Kupp out, the Rams still one of the best arrays of offensive weapons in the league. The team will lean heavily on Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, and Todd Gurley in the passing game moving forward. Tight ends Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett will also both be counted on to step up.
Aqib Talib Targeting Week 13 Return
Aqib Talib underwent ankle surgery more than a month ago, but the Rams weren’t planning for the former All-Pro cornerback to miss the rest of the season. It looks like that’s still going to be the case, and Talib may not be out any longer than he’s forced to be.
Talib said during an NFL Network interview (via ESPN.com’s Alden Gonzalez, on Twitter) he expects to be full go by Week 13. That’s the first game for which he’d be eligible to return from IR. The Rams face the Lions that week, which follows their Week 12 bye.
The Rams could certainly use the help in coverage. They rank 15th in pass defense DVOA and have seen trade acquisition Marcus Peters fail to live up to expectations. The former All-Pro and defensive rookie of the year has been regularly beaten in coverage this season, with Michael Thomas‘ 72-yard, game-clinching touchdown the latest example. Although, slot man Nickell Robey-Coleman‘s remained one of the best at his position.
Familiar with Wade Phillips‘ system far more than Peters, Talib returning would bring a key element for the Super Bowl-contending Rams. They explored cornerback help at the deadline but instead used 2019 draft capital to acquire Dante Fowler.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/6/18
Today’s minor moves:
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from physically unable to perform list: LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
- Waived: LB Trevon Young
New York Giants
- Waived: WR Quadree Henderson
New England Patriots
- Waived: OL Cole Croston, DE Geneo Grissom
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT T.Y. McGill
- Waived: WR DeAndre Carter
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Kalan Reed
- Waived: LB Emmanuel Ellerbee
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/6/18
Today’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Willie Beavers
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Brady Sheldon
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OT De’Ondre Wesley
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: T Rick Leonard, DE Ja’Von Rolland-Jones
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: T Storm Norton
New England Patriots
- Released: RB Kenneth Farrow
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Troymaine Pope
- Released: TE Tyrone Swoopes
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Bernard Reedy
- Released: WR Damoun Patterson
Washington Redskins
- Signed: T Jarron Jones
- Released: T Justin Evans
Rams Tried To Trade For Jadeveon Clowney, Jerry Hughes
- The Jets, desperate for pass rushing help, inquired on former Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler over the summer, and they tried again at last week’s trade deadline, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com details. The Rams ultimately acquired Fowler in exchange for a 2019 third-rounder and 2020 fifth-rounder, and while the Jets submitted a similar offer about a half hour before the 4pm deadline on October 30, they also wanted a fourth-rounder to come back to them. As such, Jacksonville pulled the trigger on the Rams’ offer.
- Fowler may not have been the Rams‘ first choice for pass rushing help. We already knew that Los Angeles had made a significant offer for Khalil Mack before he was dealt to the Bears, but Schefter writes that the Rams also called the Texans to discuss Jadeveon Clowney in the first weeks of the season, and as late as last week, they made a push to acquire the Bills‘ Jerry Hughes.
Cooper Kupp Expected To Return This Weekend
Cooper Kupp is expected to make his return tomorrow. As NFL.com’s Jason B. Hirschhorn notes, the wideout wasn’t included on the Rams’ final injury report, an indication that he’s good to go for his team’s matchup against the Saints.
Kupp missed the past two games as he dealt with a knee injury, but the receiver had made progress throughout the past week. Head coach Sean McVay all but confirmed Kupp’s return yesterday, saying the wideout was on track to return to the lineup.
“He is, yeah,” McVay said (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Twitter). “He was feeling good yesterday. Today will really be the big day just based on the way that we’re operating as far as practice goes. Our belief is that he’s going to be good to go.”
The 25-year-old was proving that his impressive 2017 rookie campaign wasn’t a fluke, as he’s hauled in 30 receptions for 438 yards and five touchdowns in six games (six starts) this season. The former third-rounder had also collected four rushing attempts and a punt return.
Kupp will be rejoining an electric Rams offense that’s also led by quarterback Jared Goff, running back Todd Gurley, and fellow wideouts Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods. With Kupp back in full health, the team could realistically look to move on from any of their other four healthy receivers: Josh Reynolds, Nick Williams, Jojo Natson, and KhaDarel Hodge (the team also has Pharoh Cooper and Mike Thomas sitting on the injured reserve).
Giants Claim G Jamon Brown Off Waivers
A full-time starter for the 2017 Rams, Jamon Brown received notice on Tuesday he was being waived. He will not pass through waivers to free agency and didn’t advance far through the claim hierarchy.
The Giants claimed Brown on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The offensive line-needy team is 1-7 and getting a player in a contract year, but Brown figures to see action soon in the Big Apple.
Brown served as the Rams’ starting right guard during their playoff drought-snapping 2017 slate, and the former third-round pick had started 30 games since the 2015 season. But a suspension sidetracked his run in Los Angeles. Austin Blythe took over because of Brown receiving a two-game substance-abuse ban. Brown worked as a backup in five games this season before the Rams waived him to make roster room for Dante Fowler.
This season has obviously not gone well for the Giants. They made multiple sellers’ trades, in shipping out two defensive starters, and have struggled in many areas. Their most key problem, though, is still their offensive line. Eli Manning‘s taken 31 sacks, despite Nate Solder and Will Hernandez now being in the fold. That matches his 15-game total from 2017 and is on pace to be well north of the 15th-year veteran’s previous career high. Big Blue also recently benched Patrick Omameh, opening a spot at right guard.
Brown’s contract-year status doesn’t make much sense for the 2018 Giants, but they’re in need of blockers regardless. With answers long-term answers needed, it’s probable the Giants are ready to evaluate the longtime starter to see if he’s a candidate for an extension.
Third-Rounder In Dante Fowler Is Conditional
- The 2019 third-round pick sent to the Jaguars in the Dante Fowler trade is conditional, tweets Howard Balzer. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets that the conditional draft pick will be based on how many compensatory picks the Rams receive. If Los Angeles does receive a compensatory pick, that will be sent to Jacksonville. If the Rams receive more than one compensatory pick, the Jaguars will receive the higher selection. If the Rams don’t get any compensatory picks, then they’ll simply send their own pick to complete the trade. Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com tweets that Los Angeles is expecting compensatory picks for the offseason losses of Trumaine Johnson and Sammy Watkins. Jacksonville also received a 2020 fifth-rounder in the Fowler deal.
[SOURCE LINK]
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/30/18
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OG Colby Gossett (off Vikings practice squad), TE John Phillips
- Released: OL Blaine Clausell, TE Gabe Holmes
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: DL Michael Bennett
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: DE Albert McClellan
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: CB Dontae Johnson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: MLB Hayes Pullard
- Waived: K Mike Badgley
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: OG Jamon Brown
New York Giants
- Waived: CB Mike Jordan
Oakland Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: DE/OLB James Cowser
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: DT Bruce Hector
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: WR Victor Bolden, CB Greg Mabin
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Javien Elliott
- Released: LB Kevin Minter
Washington Redskins
- Waived: LB Cassanova McKinzy