Wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp were able to successfully get through Friday's practice and are expected to play on Sunday.
"We're right on track," head coach Sean McVay said. "We're waiting for the final clearance on Brandin and Cooper. But looking positive in that direction."
Both players had been trending in that direction all week, after they departed the victory over the Seahawks and did not return. They each addressed the media on Friday and were in good spirits.
"I feel amazing," Cooks said, noting that he felt great right after the game. "It's just one of those things that's part of the game. Things happen. It's unfortunate, but it's how you respond. And it's been a great week of just preparing and getting back to football. It's been great."
"Been able to go through this week and move through the protocol here, and just being smart about making sure that I'm 100 percent," Kupp said. "And now that we've gotten to this point, all the way now to Friday, going out there and finally getting a day to go out there and go through practice with the guys a little bit — I wouldn't be out there if I wasn't sure I was 100 percent."
Kupp self-reported that he was not feeling quite right during Sunday's game after he had hit his head on the turf during Los Angeles' two-minute drive just before halftime.
"It's very hard. You never want to let the guys down, which is kind of the battle you go through," Kupp said. "But at the end of the day, I've got a family at home and I want to be able to make sure that when I step onto the field, I'm the best me that I can be. And if I have any doubt I can be that for the guys next to me, for the other 10 guys who are lining up with me, I'm going to make sure that the coaching staff and the training staff notice that."
The news means Los Angeles will have its usual compliment of offensive weapons to combat Denver's vaunted defense. The Rams have used '11' personnel — one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers — for nearly all of their offensive plays. Heading into last week's game, Cooks, Kupp, and wideout Robert Woods had all been on the field for at least 97 percent of the offensive plays.
While defensive lineman Michael Brockers missed Thursday's practice with an ankle flare up, he was back on the field for Friday's session. He is expected to play on Sunday.
"He just had a little soreness in his ankle," McVay said. "He went today and he's feeling good. We're just being smart with Mike. Being a veteran guy, he'll be ready to go."
Returner JoJo Natson was not listed on the injury report, McVay said safety Blake Countess will continue to handle kick returns. He's averaged 25.3 yards per return on eight attempts so far this season.
"He's done a nice job with that," McVay said. "That field position is key, and really important for us offensively to start out in good spots."
As expected, kicker Greg Zuerlein has been declared out for Sunday's contest. But he did go through his second consecutive practice on a limited basis, which is a good sign for his potential return soon.
On the other side, cornerback Adam Jones (thigh) and offensive tackle Jared Veldheer (knee) have been declared out.
Below is the Friday injury status for both teams. Anyone not listed is expected to play.
Ahead of Sunday's Los Angeles Rams vs. Denver Broncos Week 16 matchup, take a look back at photos of historical matchups between the two teams.
Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson, 29, is taken down by Denver Broncos Steve Wilson, 45, and an unidentified defender at left, during first quarter action in the American Bowl at London?s Wembley Stadium on Sunday, August 9, 1987 in London. Los Angeles? Mike Guman enters the play at right. Dickerson gained seven yards on the play. (AP Photo)
"St. Louis Rams Marshall Faulk runs for yardage against the Denver Broncos during a game on September 8 2002 in Denver. The Broncos won 23-16. (Photo by Bill Stover/St. Louis Rams)"
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the Rams 9-17 loss to the Denver Broncos in an NFL preseason game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Saturday, August 27, 2016, in Denver, CO. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams line up during the second half of the Rams 9-17 loss to the Denver Broncos in an NFL preseason game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Saturday, August 27, 2016, in Denver, CO. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
"DENVER - NOVEMBER 28: Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams runs for yardage against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High on November 28, 2010 in Denver Colorado. The Rams won 36-33. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
Punter (6) Johnny Hekker of the Los Angeles Rams punts during the first half of the Rams 9-17 loss to the Denver Broncos in an NFL preseason game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Saturday, August 27, 2016, in Denver, CO. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
"DENVER - NOVEMBER 28: Fred Robbins #98 of the St. Louis Rams gets a sack on Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High on November 28, 2010 in Denver Colorado. The Rams won 36-33. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
Running back (36) Aaron Green of the Los Angeles Rams is sacked during the second half of the Rams 9-17 loss to the Denver Broncos in an NFL preseason game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Saturday, August 27, 2016, in Denver, CO. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
"St. Louis Rams William Hayes rushes in to apply pressure during an NFL preseason football game against the Denver Broncos on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013 in Denver. The Broncos won, 27-26. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 10: Fakhir Brown #34 of the St. Louis Rams makes a tackle against the Denver Broncos during the season opener at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri on September 10, 2006. The Rams won 18-10. (Photo By Bill Stover/St. Louis Rams)"
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) gets set for the snap of the ball during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams Nov. 6, 1994, in Anaheim, Calif. (NFL Photos via AP)
"St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Rodger Saffold blocks against Denver Broncos Von Miller during an NFL preseason football game on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013 in Denver. The Broncos won, 27-26. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams Damione Lewis rushes in against the Denver Broncos during a game on September 8 2002 in Denver. The Broncos won 23-16. (Photo by Bill Stover/St. Louis Rams)"
Los Angeles Rams running back Charles White, left, runs towards his first of two touchdowns against the Denver Broncos during the third quarter of the American Bowl on Sunday, August 9, 1987 in London?s Wembley Stadium. The Rams won the game 28-27. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
Denver Broncos nose tackle Rubin Carter (68) closes in on Los Angeles Rams running back Charles White (33) during an NFL game in Anaheim, Calif., Sept., 8, 1985. The Rams defeated the Broncos 20-16. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Denver Broncos defensive end Harald Hasselbach (96) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams Nov. 6, 1994, in Anaheim, Calif. (NFL Photos via AP)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jim Everett scrambles away from Greg Kragen of the Denver Broncos for a seven-yard gain during the second quarter of the American Bowl on Sunday, August 9, 1987 in London?s Wembley Stadium.(AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
"DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 08: Marshall Faulk #28 of the St. Louis Rams runs for yardage against the Denver Broncos on September 8, 2002 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won 23-16. (G. Newman Lowrance Archive)"
Denver Broncos linebackers Jim Ryan (50) and Larry Evans (56) and defensive end Rulon Jones (75) stop Los Angeles Rams running back Wendell Tyler (26) during an NFL game in Anaheim, Calif., Dec. 12, 1982. The Broncos defeated the Rams 27-24.(AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Los Angeles Rams running back Jerome Bettis (36) is followed by a tier of Denver Broncos players during first quarter action in Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 6, 1994. The Broncos are, from bottom, Steve Atwater (27), Dennis Smith (49) and Elijah Alexander (58). (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)
Denver Broncos safety Steve Atwater (27) defensive back Darryl Hall (40) linebacker Keith Burns (56) and nose tackle Ted Washington (98) are seen in action during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams Nov. 6, 1994, in Anaheim, Calif. (NFL Photos via AP)
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Denver Broncos for the final preseason game of 2021.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Denver Broncos for the final preseason game of 2021.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
OUT
K Greg Zuerlein (groin)
DENVER BRONCOS
OUT
CB Adam Jones (thigh)
OT Jared Veldheer (knee)
