Skip to main content
Advertising

Rams News | Los Angeles Rams - therams.com

Practice Report: Kupp's Washington Homecoming, Wilson Stands Out

Check out photos as the Los Angeles Rams prepare to take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15.

Los Angeles held its final session of the preparation week on Friday at Cal Lutheran. The Rams will travel to Seattle on Saturday as they gear up for the Seahawks in Week 15.

INJURY REPORT

The Rams received some very positive news on the injury front, with all of their starters expected to play on Sunday. With the exception of cornerback Kayvon Webster — who will be out for the remainder of the season with a ruptured achilles — L.A. turned in a clean bill of health.

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth (knee), right tackle Rob Havenstein (knee), linebacker Mark Barron (non-injury related) and wide receiver Robert Woods (shoulder) were full participants on Friday. Center John Sullivan (illness) was a non-participant on Friday, but head coach Sean McVay said he is hopeful Sullivan will be ready to play in Week 15.

"He had an illness, but hopefully that's just short term and he'll be ready to go," McVay said. 

Quarterback Brandon Allen (back) also did not participate and is doubtful to play.

The Seahawks also received some positive news on Friday, after six starters did not participate in Thursday's session. Heading into Sunday's contest, linebacker Bobby Wagner (hamstring) is the only player listed as questionable while linebacker K.J. Wright (concussion) and defensive end Nazair Jones (ankle) are doubtful. 

**

KUPP RETURNS HOME**

Sunday will be a homecoming of sorts for wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Kupp grew up in Yakima, Washington — about two hours southeast of CenturyLink Field — and attended college at Eastern Washington where he set all-time records in receptions (428), receiving yards (6,464), and receiving touchdowns (73).

And while Kupp has spent nearly two decades playing football in Washington, Sunday will mark a first for the Evergreen State-native — the first time playing in front of his home crowd as an NFL wide receiver.

"It will be cool to go back up there. I know there is going to be a lot of people coming in from  Yakima and Spokane, so I'm really excited for that," Kupp said Friday. "A lot of people have been hitting me up so I'm very excited. It will be fun to go up there and see everyone."

Admittedly, Kupp was a Seahawks fan growing up so close to the stadium. And although he couldn't make it out to many games at CenturyLink, he says has one vivid memory of a Sunday night showdown between the Seahawks and the Packers. 

"Snow was coming down like crazy and running back Shaun Alexander actually went for like 204, or 207 yards rushing in that game," he said. "So it was a pretty incredible game….It was fun though, it was a good memory."

This week, Kupp is looking forward to playing for the first time on that field. But, one thing he is not looking forward to? The noise.

"Obviously you know about the noise, you know it's going to be loud," he said. "But we're prepared for that, we understand that you're not going to be able to hear anything."

"So you go in understanding that it's going to be a part of the game and you just don't let that affect you," Kupp continued. "You move through things and communicate verbally and visually. We'll make sure we're prepared."

**WILSON STANDS OUT

**

Ask any Rams defensive player what stands out about the Seahawks offense, and you'll receive the same answer: quarterback Russell Wilson.

When defensive coordinator Wade Phillips walked into the media room after Thursday's practice, he took the podium chanting, "Russell Wilson, Russell Wilson, Russell Wilson." Phillips went on to describe what makes the Super Bowl Champion and current MVP candidate so special — alluding to his abilities both in the air and on the ground.

"You want to hate the other team, but he's such a great guy,: Phillips said. "He guy makes plays on-schedule, off-schedule, he can throw it from the pocket. He can certainly run around and throw it and make big plays. He's a handful."

To Phillips point, Wilson is currently accounting for 82.2 percent of the Seahawks offensive production and has already broken an NFL record this season with 17 fourth-quarter touchdowns.

"I mean I think that alone says not only the type of player he is, but the type of season he's having," outside linebacker Robert Quinn said. "At any given moment he can take over a game if you allow him."

As such the Rams primary task this week will be to contain Wilson. And while that won't come easily, the defensive players seemed up to the challenge.

"It's frustrating when you're giving up passes, but it's exciting when you actually do your job, keep your eyes on your luggage and make plays," safety John Johnson III said of facing a dual-threat quarterback like Wilson. "So, to shut a guy like that down is exciting and we're going to try to do that."

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content

Advertising