Before the season started, the Rams’ receiving corps looked like one of the best in the NFL. With a healthy Cooper Kupp and a Puka Nacua in Year 2, there was a ton of hope with this group.
But after two quick weeks, the Rams’ receivers no longer look like a dangerous group. Nacua is on IR with a knee injury and on Sunday afternoon, Kupp hurt his ankle and was spotted in a walking boot after the 41-10 loss.
In the blink of an eye, the Rams could be looking at Demarcus Robinson and either Tyler Johnson, Jordan Whittington or Tutu Atwell as their top two receivers. As disappointing as that is, Matthew Stafford is fully confident in the Rams’ wideouts in the event that Kupp is sidelined.
“Those guys did a nice job today when they got their opportunities in the game to step in and make some plays,” Stafford said after the game. “I thought Demarcus Robinson made some nice plays, I thought Tutu made some good plays, J-Whitt made some plays, TJ, so continue to grow with those guys, try to help them out as much as I possibly can, give them good passes to catch and let those guys do their thing. I’ve got a ton of trust in them. They’ve done a great job all through OTAs, training camp, all that kind of stuff. And have some pass-game history with some of those guys.”
Robinson caught two of his four targets for 50 yards, the biggest of which was a 42-yarder. Atwell caught three passes for 48 yards but dropped an easy pass on a curl route. Johnson was much quieter this time around with just two catches for 20 yards, while Whittington caught his only two targets for 22 yards.
The Rams rotated their receivers after Robinson and that might be the approach they’re forced to take moving forward if Kupp remains out. It’s not ideal, but the good news is all of those wideouts were in camp with the Rams and have some experience with Stafford.
