(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: Calling All Rams fans, right now… it’s time to tune in and learn right here from the team’s Head Coach Sean McVay and his quarterback, Matthew Stafford, on how the weekly team all-important practice sessions are going, in yet another edition of the 2023 Rams Transcripts. These are fresh from the final days of preparation for the much-awaited start of the NFL’s 2023 season.

There’s a lot to learn, starting with the much-awaited updates on WR/Cooper Kupp and his hamstring condition. Throw into the mix, QB/Stetson Bennett and his shoulder issue, several other key players’ status, and other areas of concern. Take your time to read this transcript, be all caught up, and then prepare for this Sunday’s road game vs. the Seattle Seahawks. 

L.A. Rams Transcripts – Head Coach Sean McVay, Quarterback Matthew Stafford – Wednesday, 9/6/23

[Head Coach Sean McVay]

(Opening remarks)…“Okay guys, injury report for today. Guys that will not participate: (WR) Cooper Kupp, (TE) Hunter Long and (QB) Stetson Bennett and all of those guys will be out for the game.”

(On an injury update for Kupp)…“Not much more information. It’s dealing with some soft tissue stuff, trying to get him to feel back to normal and when that ends up occurring, then we’ll have him back but in the meantime, he will not be playing for us.”

(On if Kupp will be placed on injured reserve)…“It’s a possibility, we’ll look into that. We want to be able to give him a little bit of time. We don’t have to make that decision quite yet, but there’s a possibility of that.”

(On the status of Bennett)…“His right shoulder is bothering him.”

(On if Bennett’s injury has been an ongoing issue)…“It has been. It’s been bothering him for the last couple weeks on and off and so (we) want to try to be able to get a hold on that. Unfortunately with Hunter Long, he’s still getting bothered by the thigh and then had something that he felt in his hamstring, so trying to get a hold on all three of those guys.”

(On whether Kupp’s absence will handicap the team)…“No, you wish he was able to go, but I got a lot of confidence in the guys. This is something that we probably thought was going to be the situation for a while now so this isn’t anything new to us, but rather just put it to bed, not have to continue to answer questions. We want to be able to get Cooper back when he’s ready to go and in the meantime a lot of guys have been able to get a great chance to be able to develop, establish a rapport with (QB) Matthew (Stafford) and the rest of the group and looking forward to watching these guys compete on Sunday.”

(On what he meant by Kupp’s hamstring being outside the normal hamstring injury)…“Exactly what it was. It wasn’t the normal thing and there’s a lot of gray behind this. I’m not a doctor, so I can’t really answer anything more about that. I just know that it doesn’t follow the standard protocol for when you’re reaggravating a soft tissue injury, trying to continue to get a grasp on exactly what it is so that he can get back to feeling like the Cooper that we know and love, and hopefully we’ll do that. As far as what that plan looks like, there’s a lot of information that goes way above my head that they’ve talked about. I think there’ll be some things that from a rehab procedure approach that he’ll start to implement, but it wasn’t like there was any sort of groundbreaking information when I sat down and got a chance to speak with Cooper this morning.”

(On if Kupp’s injury is the same ongoing injury)…“It is, yeah. It’s the same thing.”

(On how Kupp is handling the injury mentally)…“He’s a stud. He wants to be out there with his teammates. He puts so much into it and so it’s been unfortunate. It’s been frustrating, but I do think he’s done an excellent job being able to control what he can control. I think the biggest thing is let’s implement a plan. Let’s hopefully start feeling back to normal and then being able to slowly and steadily progress him back, but it’s been a really unique situation to say the least, kind of like what I’ve been talking about for the last few minutes. But in regards to exactly how you would want him to handle the things that he can control, I think he’s done a great job. He’s stayed engaged. He’s leading in his way that he can right now even though he can’t be out there with his teammates. I’ve been really pleased and proud of that and then I’m hoping that he’ll be able to get back with us sooner than later.”

(On if there is a timeline for placing Kupp on IR) …“There’s not. Saturday is the latest that we can decide that as it relates to just having him out for the next four weeks.”

(On TE Hunter Long being a candidate for IR) …“Possibly and his has been actually separate entities. He had the thigh working back from that then felt a little something in his hamstring so feel for him too. All of these guys want to be out there as much as anybody and so you empathize with them and then you want to be able to get them on a program to recovery. We’ll be a better team when those guys are back with us.”

(On if not having Kupp play handicaps him as a playcaller) …“No, I would never say that. I love Cooper Kupp. You guys know how instrumental and vital he’s been to a lot of great things that have occurred, but we’ve had a lot of work with the group that’s going to play for the last handful of months. This is the group that we’ve been working with, unfortunately, or fortunately, however you want to look at it. He really hasn’t had a chance to get any offseason work. It’s been very limited in training camp. And so, for that I’m very excited about the opportunity to compete and I have a lot of belief in these guys and the improvement that I’ve seen and the way that they just commit to a process every single day. I’m really looking forward to just being able to go shoot our shot and see what the hell happens.”

(On the type of specialist Kupp saw in Minnesota) …“I would just say this, it’s trying to just figure out what’s going on with him. Again, I’m kind of speaking out of turn. I just know that we’re trying to open up every avenue in regards to figuring out what’s going on, why is he feeling some of the sensations and things like that in his hamstring. Is it soft tissue? Is there something nerve-wise? And I would be speaking out of turn. I think we’re really trying to be able to figure that out. He felt like he gained a lot of information, was able to do a couple day’s worth of treatment that was beneficial, but it wasn’t anything that’s like, okay, he’s going to be back right now. And we had a feeling that there could be a couple weeks that we need to just be able to take it a day at a time and then hopefully we’ll start to see some positive results as it relates to how he’s feeling, what that means for his rehab program and as far as like a timetable, it could be anywhere between if we decide to put him on IR or it could be a couple weeks. But as soon as I have that information, I’ll let you guys know. And I know he wants to be out there badly, and we want him to be out there but we don’t want to rush it either.”

(On how Kupp is able to pass along his knowledge while rehabbing)…
“Just being around, he’s almost an extension of the coaches and so just being able to kind of provide any of his feedback going against this excellent team that we’re going against a lot. They’ve got some different personnel changes, but there’s also some familiar faces that he can communicate with some of the guys that are going to be in similar spots that he’s been in to try to be able to give those guys pointers. I think a lot of the information that the players are able to give to one another can be a lot more beneficial sometimes than what we say as a coach because those are the guys that are doing it. They’re in it together and there’s a dialogue that exists that I think is really valuable and beneficial and some of that occurs in our absence and I know it’s always good things when he’s pouring into those guys.”

(On some of the challenges going against a familiar team like the Seahawks)…“I think you just answered it right there. There’s somewhat of a familiarity. There’s continuity that they have at the coordinator spots, but there’s always chances to be able to implement new things offensively, defensively, and in the kicking game. There’s obviously going to be a different approach just around the league as it relates to how people handle kickoff and kickoff returns so it’s all those things and that’s what you use these last few months for. I think you want to be careful chasing ghosts, but here’s what you do know, (Seahawks Head Coach) Pete Carroll does an excellent job with a group that’s super competitive. They’ve got great personnel, they’ve got great schemes, great coaches. It’s why they’ve been so successful for such a long period of time and it’s a great venue to be able to go play at and I’m excited for the opp.”

(On if Bennett’s injury will heal with rest or require surgery)…“That would be something that I got to get some more information. It’s been something that’s kind of been lingering a little bit and so it could be in alignment with what we’ve talked about as it relates to Hunter and Cooper, even though it’s a little bit of a different thing with his shoulder but we’re trying to get some more information. But in the meantime, he’s going to be out.”

(On if QB Brett Rypien will be the backup)…“Brett will be, yes.”

(On if the team will sign a new quarterback)…“We’re talking about that, but for this week we will not.”

[Quarterback Matthew Stafford]

(On his reaction to WR Cooper Kupp’s injury and how he has been communicating with him)…“Yeah, I’m just talking to him first and foremost as a friend, trying to help him out anyway I can. I know he’s going to do everything he can to be as good as he possibly can as quick as he can like we all are in this profession. He’s as good a professional as I’ve ever been around when it comes to taking care of his body and trying to get himself right. I know it’s disappointing for him, I’m sure to not be out there, but I know he is doing everything he possibly can to get back quickly which is part of what makes him such a great teammate.”

(On if he has been able to connect with the new receivers on and off the field)…“Yeah, definitely. It’s been good. Cooper was out some of training camp as well and we had some guys have to come in there and step up and make plays for us and they’ve done that. Through joint practices, practicing against our defense, we’ve had a lot of guys step up and make some great plays and (I have) total trust in everybody that’s put out there to go out there and make plays. I’m excited for those guy’s opportunities, obviously like I said, disappointed for Cooper but at the same time I’m excited about the guys that we have going out there and trying to make some big plays.”

(On if he has had conversations with Kupp about needing to rehab and get better before playing full speed)…“That’s the toughest thing. Everybody sits there and goes, ‘Oh man, he is not going to be on our fantasy team,’ or ‘He is not going to be on this, that, and the other,’ but this is a human being too that’s worked his entire life and works more than anybody I know in the offseasons to make sure that he’s ready to go and when he’s not, that’s tough as a human being and as a football player and as a competitor. I was in those situations, especially early on in my career. I missed I think 19 games my first two seasons for hits that I feel like I’d taken a hundred times and for some reason I wasn’t getting up from them. Then played eight and a half years and didn’t miss a game. It’s a game that…injuries happen. They’re not the fun part, they’re probably the worst part of this game, but he’s a strong-willed guy. Obviously, we support the heck out of him and whenever he is back, we’ll be happy to have him.”

(On his mindset and preparation for the game knowing Kupp will not be playing)…“I try to play the game as cleanly as I possibly can and throw the ball where the coverage dictates. No question about it from a skill position point, there’s a lot of stuff that goes through Cooper where he may be designed to be the number one or if we get a certain pressure we’re going to get to this play and let him go do what he does best. Obviously, he’s not going to be out on the field but my job really doesn’t change much. It’s, hey, go out there and throw the ball where it’s supposed to be thrown accurately and on time and let those guys do what they do because we’ve got some talented guys on the outside that can make plays both down the field and also after the catch. I’m excited to watch those guys do their thing and I’m excited to go play and when Cooper gets back, we’ll welcome him back.”

(On reaction to Kelly’s comments on podcast) …“No, I think more probably from you guys than anything else. I was going to come out here with a newspaper under my arm with some spectacles. Set the mood, but it turns out you can’t even find a newspaper around here so I couldn’t do that. I was going to try to have some fun with it, but no it’s been great. I love coming to work. I love working with these guys and they all know that.”

(On if he feels connected) …“I do, definitely. I definitely do.”

(On if he addressed the comments within the locker room) …“No, I think those guys understand where I’m coming from. They see me come in this building every single day and know how I go to work, know how I interact with everybody and we didn’t really think too much about it to be honest with you.”

(On if the comments got lost in translation) …“No, I think so and listen, I’m not too worried about it. Nobody in that locker room is too worried about it, I can promise you that. We’ve completely moved on not that we ever really stopped to think about it, to be honest with you. But yeah, I’m not too worried about it.”

(On if the turnover on the team presents challenges for an older quarterback) …“Well, I don’t think so. I think in general in the NFL you get like, what is the average like 30% turnover on a team? And every team is different. Every team is new. We happen to have a lot of young guys on our team, a lot of rookies that have come in and done a heck of a job and earned roles on our football team. They are going to be big parts of our season and that’s exciting. But every season, every team is different. That’s the great part about this game is you get exposure to all different kinds of people from all different places and different places in their life and I love being a part of that. It’s probably my favorite thing is coming into the locker room and being a part of that. So every single year is different. That difference is the same for us as it is around the league and I’m enjoying it.”

(On what he’s seen from WR Van Jefferson, WR Tutu Atwell, WR Ben Skowronek, WR DeMarcus Robinson and WR Puka Nacua and what they can bring on Sunday now that Kupp is out)…“I think a lot of reps are in training camp. Cooper had some time off in training camp and those guys were, I don’t want to say forced into the role, just hey, let’s go out there and practice, let’s go out there and everybody kind of move around, play different positions, and they did a great job and it’s a testament to them as players, to their coaches for helping them get them ready. Coach Cooper, I mean, he’s out there with a clipboard telling those guys every little secret he knows and trying to help those guys out so it’s a team effort. And then at the same time, just let those guys be themselves. Puka, Tutu, Van, Ben, whoever it is, you’re not going to go try to be Cooper Kupp, just go be the best version of yourself you can be. That’s what we all have to do, go out there, compete our ass off and you go try to get a win.”

(On if there was a conversation between him and Head Coach Sean McVay about wanting to protect him more)…“No, I think the biggest thing for me is I just had a long, healthy offseason which was awesome for me. I was able to do everything I wanted to do to get myself ready to play both physically, mentally, emotionally, all that kind of stuff. And we’re constantly talking about what’s best for us as a team and that changes depending on who’s available that week, maybe, or who we’re playing, whatever it is. All those things kind of go into it. But I just want to be able to do everything that I was asked to do at as high a level as I possibly can.”

(On how he valued and measured success in the first year of his NFL career)…“I was coming into a team that was 0-16 the year before. We were just trying to accumulate as many good players and as many experiences for young ones like myself that we possibly could. I was lucky (Former Lions Head) Coach (Jim) Schwartz and (Former Lions Offensive Coordinator) Coach (Scott) Linehan were awesome to me. I have games where I threw a lot of interceptions. They’d be like, ‘Hey, keep slinging it, learn. This is the opportunity to learn from those, learn what throws you can make, what throws you can’t make, learn about your teammates, what it’s like to play in the NFL,” all that kind of stuff. So I had a lot of great experiences. My first game was not great at New Orleans. I think (Former Saints Quarterback) Drew threw six touchdowns, they won the Super Bowl that year so they were a pretty good team, but I just remember trying to learn as much as I possibly could, but I was in a position where we struggled quite a bit and it was tough. Who knows what it’s going to be for some of these other guys, but I know it’s an awesome start to a cool journey. I hope they embrace it, love every minute of it. It’s not going to be easy, never is, but that’s the fun part of it so best of luck to all those guys.”        

                                                                                                                                                        –RAMS–