The Rams hope to see Cooper Kupp back on the field for Week 7, but Los Angeles coach Sean McVay said the star wide receiver returning that soon is not guaranteed.

Kupp has missed the Rams’ last three games after suffering a high left ankle sprain in a Week 2 loss at the Arizona Cardinals.

McVay told reporters Monday that Los Angeles’ Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders is “an ideal target” for Kupp’s return. The Rams (1-4) have a bye before hosting Las Vegas on Oct. 20.

“(The Raiders game) was always an optimistic target date just based on a few weeks back that we had set,” McVay said. “But by no means is that guaranteed.”

McVay said Kupp would miss “an extended period of time” immediately following his injury, but the Rams did not place Kupp on injured reserve. Doing so would have required Kupp to miss four games, meaning he would not have been allowed to return until Week 8.

McVay said he has to speak with the Rams’ medical staff to determine whether Kupp can begin practicing after the bye week. Kupp has continued his rehab with team doctors over the past few days, McVay said.

Kupp, 31, has 18 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown in two games this season. He has amassed 585 catches for 7,213 yards and 52 scores over his eight-year career.

His best season came in 2021, when he led the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16) en route to his only Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors to date. He caught the game-winning touchdown in that year’s Super Bowl, for which he was named MVP.

–Field Level Media