Is Cooper Kupp playing in Week 1? Should I pickup and start Van Jefferson For Fantasy Football?

September 8, 2023

Is Cooper Kupp playing in Week 1? Should I pickup and start Van Jefferson For Fantasy Football? Fantasy Football outlook of the Los Angeles Rams' wide receivers.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp played only nine games as he was limited to nine games due to a season-ending ankle injury. He subsequently underwent surgery and was in excellent condition to begin the upcoming season.

However, during the training camp, the star wide receiver dealt with hamstring issues. It caused him to miss some time, and he recently visited a specialist in Minnesota to learn more about his hamstring, which had become a hindrance.

In this article, we will discuss whether or not Kupp will play in Week 1, and if he doesn't, whether or not Van Jefferson is a suitable replacement to put in your fantasy teams.

Is Cooper Kupp Playing In Week 1?

According to the most recent report, Cooper Kupp will not play against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. In addition, Rams head coach Sean McVay indicated that the 30-year-old could be placed on injured reserve.

This is terrible news for fantasy owners who had Kupp on their rosters, as the Rams star was expected to have a big year. Matthew Stafford is back to full health, and his chemistry with Cooper Kupp is phenomenal, so selecting him early in the first round was a wise decision.

However, this is no longer the case, as the receiver could miss significant time, and a suitable replacement should be selected for the foreseeable future.

Is Van Jefferson Worth Starting For Your Squad In Week 1?

With Cooper Kupp no longer available to play, the focus shifts to Van Jefferson, another wide receiver for the Rams. The 27-year-old player will serve as the Rams' WR1 as long as Kupp is out.

Due to Stafford's inability to connect with his younger teammates during the offseason, Jefferson will receive an abundance of targets. If you drafted Van Jefferson, the current situation is optimal for inserting him into your lineup. His production will be high during Kupp's absence, and once the star receiver returns, you might look to put Jefferson back on the bench.

In 11 games last year, Jefferson had 24 receptions for 369 yards and three touchdowns. With Stafford healthy, the Florida product who has an ADP of #183, could excel this season. Apart from Jefferson, the Rams have Tutu Atwell, Puka Nacua, and Demarcus Robinson as their primary receivers.

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