Rams WR Cooper Kupp not focused on trade talk, which emerges the day Puka Nacua returns to practice

LOS ANGELES (AP) — On the day the Los Angeles Rams got wide receiver Puka Nacua back on the practice field, chatter about potentially trading Cooper Kupp went public.

Kupp did not confirm whether the Rams have reached out to the Super Bowl MVP or his representation after multiple outlets reported Tuesday that trade conversations have taken place.

“It is that time of the year, there’s going to be rumors. I let that stuff, as much as I can, be in the background,” Kupp said.

Kupp, the Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Pro in 2021 as he helped the Rams to a Super Bowl title, said his focus is on returning to the field after missing four games because of an ankle injury he sustained at Arizona in Week 2.

“I have a job to do here, and I take a lot of pride in giving everything I can for the guys in this building in being able to step on the field knowing I have prepared the best I can,” he said. “And for 7 1/2 years, I’ve been an LA Ram, and I have taken that approach every single day. Whatever happens outside of that, I got to control what I can control. Right now, that means being the best LA Ram I can be.”

When healthy, Kupp has been one of the NFL’s most productive receivers and a focal point of coach Sean McVay’s offense. But those instances have been fewer and further between in recent years for the 31-year-old, who has played in 23 of a possible 40 games over the past two-plus seasons because of ankle and hamstring injuries.

Kupp, who also tore his ACL in 2018, has 18 receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown in two games this season.

The Rams (2-4) are preparing for Thursday night home game against Minnesota that could decide their chances of staying in the playoff race, so the time to talk about moving Kupp would be now.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford said he wasn’t bothered by the speculation.

“Obviously, I’m a fan of the league, so you hear those things,” Stafford said. “But to be honest, we’re pro athletes, professional football players who have kind of dealt with this stuff before, understand it comes with the territory. Don’t put much into it because that’s a disservice to what we got going on here. We’ve got a short week and a really good opponent to try to prepare for, so that’s our full focus. I know that’s where he stays too, so (we) don’t worry too much about that stuff.”

Kupp is ready to handle a full workload against the Vikings, though he understands that will be up to McVay, wide receivers coach Eric Yarber and the Rams’ medical staff. Kupp was able to return to practice last week and prepared as if he would be able to play until he was declared inactive for Sunday's 20-15 win over Las Vegas.

With a short week to prepare for the Vikings and no formal practices in the buildup, Kupp used the extra time to start ramping up for game action.

“I thought he was looking pretty good,” Stafford said. “I kind of lean on him when it comes to that stuff, ‘Hey, how do you feel,’ because he always looks pretty good to me.”

Nacua started his process to return from injured reserve when the Rams activated his 21-day window to practice on Tuesday. He was a limited participant in the walkthrough, his first on-field work since aggravating a knee injury from training camp in the season opener at Detroit on Sept. 8.

Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur was pleased to have Nacua out there but didn’t want to speculate about the likelihood the second-year receiver might be able to play against Minnesota.

“Way to be determined right now,” LaFleur said. “He hasn’t done anything full speed in forever so, you know, we’ll have to determine that.”

Nacua had four receptions for 35 yards against the Lions. He set NFL rookie records with 105 catches and 1,486 yards last season, taking advantage of a hamstring injury to Kupp in training camp to show he could be the Rams’ top passing game weapon and potentially make the veteran expendable.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

FILE -Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) carries the ball against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp warms up before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp warms up before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Freddie Freeman is penciling himself into the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup for their World Series opener against the New York Yankees.

“I don’t think there’s any question in anybody’s mind that I will be in the lineup for Game 1,” he said Tuesday during a Zoom news conference.

Of course, the final lineup decision rests with manager Dave Roberts after discussions with the front office.

By Game 1 on Friday, Freeman will have had a week since running on his sprained right ankle in NL Championship Series Game 5 against the New York Mets.

The All-Star first baseman missed Games 4 and 6 of the NLCS. Freeman was 3 for 18 against the Mets after hitting .286 in the NL Division Series against San Diego.

“I'm obviously compromised with my ankle, so if I'm not in the lineup on that day that means the best option is with our guys,” Freeman said. “I haven't played three games and I think they're averaging about nine runs a game without me in there. I have great confidence in everybody.”

Freeman said he can hit and walk comfortably but his ankle flares up when he takes the first step to run. He's been receiving hours of treatment for the first sprained ankle of his long career.

“I want to get this thing as calmed down as I possibly can, to give my best self and be ready to go by Game 1,” he said.

When Freeman’s been forced to sit, third baseman Max Muncy has shifted over to first base and Kiké Hernández has moved to third.

Freeman typically hits third, behind Shohei Ohtani leading off and Mookie Betts, giving the Dodgers three former MVPs at the top of the order.

“You’re talking about one of the most consistent players in the game the last 10, 12 years,” Muncy said. “To get him back, to have him in that lineup, just adds that depth. On top of that, all the key hits, the clutch hits he’s had in his career this time of year, you can’t really quantify how valuable that is.”

Freeman hurt his ankle on Sept. 26 against the Padres while trying to avoid a tag at first base by San Diego’s Luis Arráez and missed the Dodgers' last three regular-season games.

He also missed eight games in late July to be with his 3-year-old son, Maximus, who was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman warms up before Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman, right, and Mookie Betts celebrate after they scored on a single by Max Muncy during the first inning in Game 1 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the New York Mets, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)