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The Los Angeles Rams activated kick returner Pharoh Cooper from injured reserve and placed wide receiver Cooper Kupp on IR, the team announced Monday. Cooper practiced with the Rams (9-1) this week and is expected to play against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) on Monday (8:15 p.m. ET).
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The 23-year-old underwent surgery following an ankle injury that he sustained in the third quarter of a season-opening 33-13 romp over the Oakland Raiders. Cooper returned two punts for 12 yards and three kickoffs for 75 yards against the Raiders.
Safety Blake Countess and specialist JoJo Natson have shared return duties in the absence of Cooper, who was named first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection last season. Cooper led the league with 27.4 yards per kick return and finished second in punt return average at 12.5 in 2017.
Cooper also will provide depth at wideout in lieu of the absence of Kupp, who sustained a torn ACL in last week's 36-31 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Cooper has 25 receptions for 190 yards in 26 career contests since being selected by the Rams in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Kupp, 25, recorded 40 receptions for 566 yards and six touchdowns in eight games this season. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound Kupp's best performance came in Week 4, when he had a career-high nine catches for 162 yards and two scores versus the Minnesota Vikings.
Injuries have been prevalent this season for Kupp, who sustained a concussion in the team's victory over the Seahawks on Week 5. He then suffered a knee injury against the Denver Broncos the following week that sidelined him for two additional games.
Kupp set a franchise rookie record with 62 catches in 2017 and also led the team with 869 yards receiving.
