(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: Saludos and Heads Up!! to our Rams fans. as we head into Week 5 of the NFL season. In preparation for a very good and high quality match-up with the current leader of the NFC East, the Philadelphia Eagles, who come into SoFi Stadium unbeaten and a record of (4-0), Rams’ Head Coach, Sean McVay had much to say in his answers to a Friday press conference with the media.

The most anticipated question of the session was whether or not Wide Receiver, Cooper Kupp, would be able to play. Read on in this transcript to see the Coach’s answer to that question and learn more details about other considerations that may impact the expectations for this important encounter on the NFL’s “Crucial Catch Sunday,” the team’s game-day theme.

Transcripts – Head Coach Sean McVay – Friday, 10/6/23

[Head Coach McVay]

(Opening remarks)…“Okay, injury wise, so for today, (OL) Alaric Jackson will be limited. (OL) Joe Noteboom will not participate. He’ll be out for the game with his groin. (DE) Desjuan Johnson will be limited. He ended up having to get surgery on his thumb so he’ll be doubtful for the game. Everybody else will be full. We’ll give (OL) Brian Allen a rest day.”

(On if he expects WR Cooper Kupp to be ready on Sunday)…“I do.”

(On if Kupp will play Sunday)…“Yeah. Unless something different happens in the next 48 hours.”

(On when Kupp will be activated to the roster)…“I’ll tell you and I know this, whenever (VP Football and Business Administration) Tony (Pastoors) sends it in. I don’t know whether it’s today or tomorrow, but you’ll see that reflected in (OLB) Ochaun Mathis as well.”

(On if he plans to start OL Warren McClendon Jr. with Noteboom out)…“There’s a possibility of that. Those are things that we’re looking through and he’s done a good job with practice and Warren would be a candidate for sure.”

(On how McClendon has looked in practice)…“He’s done a really good job. He’s a mature rookie, played in a lot of big-time games. I thought he’s handled things really well this week and we’re hopeful and feeling good about the progress that Alaric has made, but I think Warren has also taken some really good steps in the right direction. We’ve been pleased with him.”

(On if he felt Kupp returning to practice went as expected)…“I think you got to ask him. He’s looked like Cooper which is a good thing. He’s put a lot of work in. You can’t really ever simulate the game in these practice settings, especially once you get a quarter of the way into the season, but he’s very comfortable. He is so conscientious. He looks like he’s moving around really well. Seeing good things between he and (QB) Matthew (Stafford) with a lot of their nonverbal communication and just having his presence out there is definitely a boost. I’m really happy for him because of how important it is to be out there and with his teammates and to be able to feel physically like he’s himself. If that’s the case, then usually the rest just takes care of itself. More importantly, it’s good for our team, but it’s also good for somebody that you care a whole lot about. I’m happy to be able to have him back and we will see if that continues to trend in that right direction unless something unforeseen happens over the next 48 hours.”

(On if he anticipates any significant changes to WR Cooper Kupp’s workload)…“I don’t think so. I think we’ll see how it goes. I think what you do know is once he gets going you want to be smart about it, but I also know once a game gets going, you’re kind of in that moment and so we’ll see how it goes. I think (VP of Sports Medicine and Performance) Reggie (Scott) and his group have done a really good job of kind of just building up his progression, if you will. There’s nothing quite like replicating the competitiveness and the tempo that occurs on game day, but that’ll be something that we want to be careful about. But I don’t know, I think it’ll be a lot of that communication in terms of how he’s feeling as well because he has such a good ability to do that with myself and the rest of our coaches and then I think observations will help us. But we got some guys, the beauty of it is with him being out, there’s been a lot of guys that have stepped up and we’ve been able to develop some depth and guys have earned the right to get out on the field and contribute. And I think that’s helpful for the Rams and I think that’s helpful for those guys if they don’t feel like they have to play every snap.”

(On balance between allowing Kupp to play but also listening to him and how he is feeling)…“Well, yeah, it’s a good question. I think you can do both. I think what you also know is that you’re not going to put them out there if you feel like you’re leaving them more susceptible. There’s always a risk anytime you take the field of what could occur. Now, if there was something where he’s not fully medically cleared and he’s not feeling like himself, then this wouldn’t be a conversation we’re having with him even going out on the grass. And so I feel good about his ability to communicate because it is a little bit different situation than coming off of a significant injury. Obviously, he had the ankle last year, but it’s just a little bit different in terms of his ability to communicate. It’s not quite like anything that I’ve ever been through, but I do have such trust with the person and the player and I think he understands how to be able to communicate where you’re able to check both of those boxes.”

(On if he notices a difference in how Kupp feels now compared to when he came back during camp)…“I think he’d have to tell you that. I think there were some days where he looked like he felt like himself and then there were some other days that he was probably pushing through or a little bit less reluctant to open up and really go. But it was so spotty in terms of his availability. But it’s been really good to just see him… Even just the demeanor, you can see he’s feeling good. He loves competing. He loves being out there and playing football and I think when you feel like yourself, man, that’s a really cool thing. Without him even having to say that, that’s what it looks like I’ve been seeing the last couple days and I’ve been really happy to see that.”

(On what he learned from Kupp’s medical specialist regarding his long-term health)…“I think he’d probably be better equipped to tell you guys whenever you talk to him on that but he looks good this week.”

(On what clarity they received to be comfortable with Kupp’s return)…“Time. I think just the time. I think it’s all semantical. I think there’s a lot of different things. The body is such a complex thing but feeling good. And then I think time and having a consistent rhythm and routine and not really necessarily feeling like you’re having to rush back for that September 10th day. I know that was weighing on him a lot. I think that’s the day our home opener was. Was it September 10th? Whatever it was. Whenever the Seattle game was. That was always in the back of his mind because he is such a conscientious guy and you feel obligated. And I think, being able to say, ‘Ok, you’ve got a month, or you got four weeks and if you’re not ready by Philly, then we’re not going to rush that either.’ And so, I think there was a benefit of just the overall time, the ability to have a good rehabilitation program, that was structured towards just building the overall strength and trying to eliminate some of the…whether it’s the sensations or the things that were in alignment with the muscle strain or whatever it was, he’s feeling good and I think the time was beneficial for that.”

(On if he anticipates OL Alaric Jackson to start on Sunday)…“Yeah.”

(On if OL Zach Thomas would see action)…“(OL) Warren McClendon would be a guy that we would look at.”

(On what he’s seen that gives him confidence in McClendon)…“Well, I think he’s a guy that has played in big games. I think he has steadily gotten more and more comfortable with what we are doing. I have been pleased with what he has done in some of the repetitions in practice or even throughout the course of training camp. He did some good stuff in preseason. He’s got a nice, comfortable way about himself. He’s a great listener. He’s able to apply some of the corrections and he’s a big man that plays physical.”

(On if Jackson’s status will allow him to play)…“I think he’s going to play. Yeah, that’s the expectation. That’s why he’s questionable and not doubtful.”

–RAMS–