Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will not play Sunday due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Kupp was placed on the reserve/COVID list but the Rams had not disclosed whether Kupp was considered a close contact or had tested positive. NFL Network reported Wednesday morning Kupp tested positive.
That means the Rams’ possible must-win Week 17 game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals will be played by a Los Angeles team without quarterback Jared Goff and Kupp, the team’s leading receiver.
The Rams failed in two chances to secure a playoff spot with victories in either of their past two games, including one to the previously winless New York Jets.
Kupp has a team-best 92 receptions for 974 yards and three touchdowns.
Goff had thumb surgery this week and was ruled out of Sunday’s game.
Blake Bortles was signed off the Denver Broncos practice squad but is expected to be the third-string option behind John Wolford and Bryce Perkins.
After five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bortles spent last season with the Rams but saw action on just 11 snaps in three games with one 3-yard completion on two pass attempts.
The Rams will be without running back Darrell Henderson (ankle), who was placed on injured reserve, and could be without running back Cam Akers (ankle) as well after the rookie did not play in last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Rams can reach the playoffs with a victory over the Cardinals or a Chicago Bears loss to the Green Bay Packers.
–Field Level Media
