Rams receiver Cooper Kupp injures knee against Broncos
Rams receiver Cooper Kupp suffered a knee injury during Sunday’s 23-20 victory over the Denver Broncos and will undergo tests Monday to determine the severity.
It was the second week in a row that Kupp sustained an injury. In last week’s victory at Seattle, Kupp and fellow receiver Brandin Cooks did not finish the first half because of concussions.
Kupp and Cooks cleared concussion protocol Saturday and were in the starting lineup at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Kupp was targeted once but did not catch a pass.
Midway through the second quarter, Kupp took a handoff on a fly sweep, ran off the right edge and gained 12 yards before Broncos safety Darian Stewart took him to the ground with a horse-collar tackle. Kupp’s left leg bent at an awkward angle and he was carted from the field.
“I definitely knew something happened, and it definitely hurt enough, but it was my first time doing something like this so I didn’t really know what to expect,” he said.
Kupp returned to start the second half but did not play after the first series.
Kupp said Stewart checked on him when the teams came out for the second half.
“I know if I was playing defense and that was the only way I was going to get someone down, in the heat of the moment it’s tough to know whether you make that tackle or do you let the guy go. … I’m obviously upset that I got hurt, but I’m not holding any ill will towards Stewart.”
Cooks caught two passes for 53 yards. Robert Woods led the Rams with seven receptions for 109 yards, including several for first downs.
Left guard Rodger Saffold left the game because of a knee injury and linebacker Matt Longacre was sidelined because of back spasms, coach Sean McVay said.
Jamon Brown, suspended for the first two games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, made his season debut after Saffold’s injury.
Happy birthday, Jared
Quarterback Jared Goff, celebrating his 24th birthday, passed for 201 yards with an interception as the Rams sent the Broncos (2-4) to their fourth consecutive defeat.
“I would like to be a lot better,” he said, “but a win’s a win. I’m happy with it and move on.”
Goff braced for the cold weather by wearing long sleeves under his jersey and gloves on both hands. He completed 14 of 28 passes, one for 44 yards to Cooks on the Rams’ first series. But, for the first time this season, he did not pass for a touchdown.
It was not an optimal performance for a team that was averaging nearly 35 points a game. Goff, who had been sacked only six times in the first five games, was sacked five times Sunday.
Santos kicking in
With Greg Zuerlein still sidelined because of a groin injury, Cairo Santos kicked field goals from 26, 39 and 21 yards.
In the third quarter, Santos missed wide right on a 47-yard attempt that would have given the Rams a 23-10 lead.
But after the Broncos pulled within 20-13 in the fourth quarter, Santos converted from 21 yards for what proved to be the deciding points.
Etc.
Safety John Johnson intercepted a pass in the third quarter, his second interception of the season. ... Punt returner JoJo Natson played for the first time since suffering a broken left hand in Week 3 against the Chargers. He averaged 14.5 yards on two returns.
Follow Gary Klein on Twitter @latimesklein
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