The Los Angeles Rams signed former Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus to their practice squad on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cephus’ acquisition is somewhat notable considering the Rams’ recent wide receiver woes. All-world pass-catcher Cooper Kupp (ankle) and 2023 rookie sensation Puka Nacua (knee) are projected to miss extended time.
That means Super Bowl champion Matthew Stafford will turn to wide receivers Jordan Whittington, Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson and Tutu Atwell during the Rams’ Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 22.
Cephus, who most recently played with the Houston Texans’ and Buffalo Bills’ practice squads this summer, could join the fold if any of those playmakers go down.
Prior to the stop in California, Cephus was released by the Texans during training camp as the team finalized its 53-man depth chart for the 2024 season. He caught six balls for 40 yards in three preseason appearances with Houston before his release.
With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua both sidelined due to injury, the Rams signed veteran WR Quintez Cephus to their practice squad.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2024
The former Badger was previously drafted No. 166 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL draft. He went on to register 35 catches for 553 yards and four touchdowns from 2020-21 before suffered an injury in 2022, then getting suspended for the entire 2023 campaign for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.
Cephus played for three years at Wisconsin (2016, 2017, 2019) and totaled a career-best 59 receptions for 901 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019.