A predictable pattern emerges for LA Rams Cooper Kupp's injury

There are many reasons to explain why the LA Rams have ruled out WR Cooper Kupp for Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. But if we told you that the decision could have been reached in November 2022, would you believe me? After all of the plot twists and narrative turns that the Rams roster has undergone this year, perhaps it would be easier to accept.

After all, there is the ongoing 'conspiracy theory,' held among some fans that the LA Rams do not want to win as much as other NFL teams, just to ensure that this team will end up with the number one overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But folks, that's just not going to happen. And we will explain why in another article.

Yes, Cooper Kupp is ruled out for Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. And that has set the LA Rams as a road underdog this week. It makes sense, the Rams will be fielding an untested defense, a field goal kicker from the practice squad, and an offense that has just ruled out its most dangerous offensive weapon.

That's not a great setup to start off the new NFL season.

A pattern forms

The predictability of Cooper Kupp's hamstring strain was not something that I was aware of, at least not unit a physical therapist pointed out the trend of NFL players who had surgery to repair a high ankle sprain, and how that same player fell to a Hamstring injury months afterward. That surgical technique is known as a Tightrope procedure, The procedure description itself names Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as the first player to undergo such a procedure:

"Rehab may begin much faster and return to play may happen as soon as 4-6 weeks. This timeline was made famous by former Alabama QB Tua, who played in the national championship game just 28 days after surgery on his syndesmosis"

- Center for Advanced Orthopaedics

What the website fails to share is the pattern of Hamstring injuries that has plagued NFL players after the Tightrope procedure. Just check out this list

As you can see from the list above, the Tightrope procedure had been performed previously on LA Rams WR Ben Skowronek, and required an additional rehab time of four weeks before he was able to return to play.

So why hasn't Kupp healed yet? Well, he did try to return to football practice before a four weeks period was up, and reaggravated the injury. For now, I'd expect Kupp to benefit from prolonged rest before returning to football. how long might that be? In some cases, it could be four or five weeks.

For now, it appears as though the Rams will need to pivot to another receiver to be competitive in this one. Will that alter the team's offensive plan for Week 1? Well, if there was ever a time to run the football, this is it. Let's see if the Rams are willing to give the ground game a chance.