Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will be active Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite an ankle sprain that occurred late in last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Facing a 17-point deficit in the closing minutes, Kupp was on the field and caught a pass in Los Angeles territory when he was tackled and remained on the ground with the injury. After missing practice early in the week, Kupp was a limited participant Thursday and Friday.
Kupp underwent further testing this week but was determined to have tissue swelling.
Kupp, 29, had eight catches for 79 yards and a touchdown Sunday. In seven games this season, he has 64 receptions for 686 yards and five touchdowns.
The Rams also will have wide receiver Van Jefferson (knee) and center Brian Allen (knee) active this week after both returned last week following multi-game absences.
The Rams remain undecided on the status of running back Cam Akers, who was back with the team this week following differences with the coaching staff. Akers missed each of the Rams’ past two games.
Akers has 151 yards on 51 carries and one touchdown this season. For his career, he’s recorded 779 yards, three rushing touchdowns and a receiving score. He added two rushing touchdowns in the 2020 playoffs.
The Rams selected Akers, 23, in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
“We’re a better team when (Akers) ends up being the guy that we know,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “Sometimes you got to be able to work through things and have good conversations. … The most important thing for us is he’s back.”
The Rams also are weighing whether to activate rookie running back Kyren Williams, 22. The fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame has been on the field for one special-teams snap this season because of a high-ankle sprain.
On Friday, the Buccaneers ruled out safety Antoine Winfield (concussion), receiver Russell Gage (hamstring), guard Luke Goedeke (foot) and tight end Cameron Brate (neck).
–Field Level Media