Wide receiver Cooper Kupp has managed to play every game this season for the Seattle Seahawks so far. He was often injured for the Los Angeles Rams in the past few seasons, and one concern when Seattle signed the veteran this offseason was how many games he would be available for.
So far, so good until Week 9, it seems. While Kupp played in every game before the bye week, he is coming out of the bye week apparently less healthy. He is dealing with heel and hamstring issues. The team listed him as questionable on the final injury report ahead of the Washington Commanders.
However, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Kupp is "unlikely" to play against Washington. While the Commanders' defense hasn't been nearly as good this season as it was last, they might be getting a bit of a break against Seattle. That's because Kupp isn't the only receiver who very well could miss the game for the Seahawks.
Seahawks face an anxious wait before deciding Cooper Kupp's status in Week 9
Jake Bobo (Achilles) and Dareke Young (quadriceps) have already been ruled out. That alone makes the Seahawks' wide receiver group very thin. Kupp missing the game would compound the issue. To replace at least two of those three wideouts, Seattle elevated receivers Ricky White III and Cody White from the practice squad.
While Young and Bobo were not getting many passing targets on offense, they were instrumental to the special teams' success. The Whites will need to pick up the slack there, most likely.
12s should expect several things to happen, assuming Cooper Kupp does miss the game. One is that Jaxon Smith-Njigba, already getting nearly half of quarterback Sam Darnold's passes this season, will probably see even more. As great as JSN has been, he'll need to be even better in Week 9.
Secondly, the tight ends will probably be even more involved in the passing game. AJ Barner has been terrific through the first half of the season, but rookie Elijah Arroyo might need to have the best game of his career so far.
Thirdly, rookie wide receiver Tory Horton, already explosive as a punt returner, will likely see his pass targets tick up. He'll need to create separation and potentially break off a splash play or two while also proving he can catch passes in the seam and over the middle.
One thing is certain: The Seattle Seahawks' wide receiver blocking probably won't be as good with Kupp and Bobo. Will Horton, Ricky White III, and Cody White do well enough to help the team's run game be productive? That is a big unknown.
Update:According to the Seahawks, Cooper Kupp is officially inactive for Week 9.