The Los Angeles Rams secured a Week 1 victory over the Oakland Raiders in the 2018 NFL season opener. Unfortunately, it may have come with the loss of return man Pharoh Cooper.
Cooper was forced to leave the game with an apparent ankle injury. According to team insider Myles Simmons, head coach San McVay says he may need to get surgery:
“Pharoh . . . got his ankle pretty good,” coach Sean McVay told reporters on Tuesday. “It might require it to get fixed. He’s getting a second opinion on that, so he’s going to be out for some time right now. . . . It’s definitely going to be something that’s going to limit him and keep him out for at least a few weeks.”
To make matters worse, backup returner Mike Thomas is still out for a few weeks with a groin injury.
“Mike Thomas is the backup there, so that makes it really complicated,” McVay said. “So whether we handle that internally or we go outside for somebody else to figure that role out, those are things that we’ve kind of been discussing. In terms of making that final decision, that’ll be something that we’ll probably decide on in the next day or so.”
Needless to say, the Cooper's injury deals a serious blow to the team's personnel. The Rams had arguably the best special teams unit in the league last season and Pharoh was one of the main reasons why. He enjoyed a breakout year as both the punt and kick returner for Los Angeles and ultimately earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. Although he made a name for himself with his return prowess, Cooper was still hoping to etch out a role in the passing game as well. Unfortunately, the injury delays his plans a bit.
With Thomas out, there are a number of players the Rams could consider putting back there. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp filled in for him in Week 1, however, McVay's comments indicate that spot could be up for grabs.
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