Rams expecting Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp to play vs. Packers

The Packers will likely have to face DL Aaron Donald and WR Cooper Kupp on Saturday in the NFC Divisional Round.

The Green Bay Packers probably won’t get any injury breaks when the Los Angeles Rams arrive at Lambeau Field for Saturday’s NFC Divisional Round playoff game.

Rams coach Sean McVay said Sunday he’s expecting defensive lineman Aaron Donald and wide receiver Cooper Kupp to play against the Packers despite new injuries.

The Rams upset the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, but both Donald (ribs) and Kupp (knee) left the game and didn’t return. McVay labeled both as day-to-day and expressed confidence in the ability of both to play against the Packers in the next round of the playoffs.

Donald hurt his ribs while tackling Russell Wilson in the second half. Kupp hobbled off at the end of a play late in the fourth quarter.

Donald is a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the most disruptive defensive lineman in the game. A first-team All-Pro for the sixth straight season, Donald produced 13.5 sacks, 27 quarterback hits and four forced fumbles in 16 games in 2020.

Kupp, the Rams’ leading receiver, caught 92 passes for 974 yards and three touchdowns this season.

The Rams still haven’t decided who will play quarterback on Saturday. McVay must pick between Jared Goff, who is nursing a thumb injury, and John Wolford, who was knocked out of Saturday’s win with a stinger. While the quarterback situation looks dicey, the Rams would get a big boost going into Lambeau Field if Donald and Kupp can play.

It’s unclear how the elements in Green Bay – including the cold – would affect the Rams’ injury situation.

The Rams won’t release an injury report until later this week. Official injury designations for the game won’t be available until Friday.

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