Cooper Kupp Injury Update: What Happened To Cooper Kupp? Why Isn't Cooper Kupp Playing?
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp has been ruled out for Sunday night’s game against the Washington Commanders due to a combination of heel and hamstring injuries. The update comes as a disappointment to both the Seahawks and Kupp’s fans, as the veteran receiver was listed as questionable earlier in the week and had been seen participating in practice before the two injuries began to really take their toll. Kupp managed to get through the early parts of Week 9 practice without incident. Still, a hamstring issue flared up on Thursday, limiting his participation and eventually keeping him out of drills altogether by Friday. With these setbacks piling up and some concern from the team’s medical staff, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday night that Kupp was very unlikely to play.
This isn’t Kupp’s first brush with physical setbacks. Since joining the Seahawks in the offseason after leaving the Los Angeles Rams, Kupp was expected to bring experience and stability to Seattle’s receiving corps. He’s known not just as a sure-handed target, but as a guy who consistently finds ways to get open skills that often don’t pop off the stat sheet, but mean a lot to quarterbacks, especially when the game starts to speed up. For those keeping score, Kupp finished the first half of the season with 24 catches for 293 yards and a touchdown, working as a reliable but not dominant option behind emerging star Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The durability issue, though, is becoming a larger conversation for Kupp. Hamstring and lower-body issues have followed him over the past couple of seasons, causing missed games, disrupted rhythm. It’s frustrating, especially when you think back to Kupp’s 2021 peak, when he was practically a weekly highlight machine. Still, no matter how great someone is, you can’t outrun injury luck forever. Those quick-twitch bursts that made him special are also the reason he’s so vulnerable to soft-tissue strains, especially as the years pile up.
Seattle, for its part, will be turning to rookie Tory Horton, along with Cody White and Ricky White III, elevated from the practice squad, to fill the gap left by Kupp and other injured receivers. The timing isn’t great, but football doesn’t exactly care about good timing. The Seahawks’ offensive game plan will likely feature more targets for Smith-Njigba, but don’t be surprised to see the team spreading the ball around and experimenting with some new looks. When your main veterans are on the mend, it’s time for the next man up to make an impression.
Kupp’s absence is a setback, but it’s not the end of the world, at least not yet. Coach Mike Macdonald was candid about the situation, noting that both Kupp and fellow wideout Jake Bobo were injured in practice, describing it as “unfortunate.” There’s optimism that Kupp’s situation isn’t long-term, but at 32 years old, every missed game invites a bit more scrutiny, and, perhaps, a touch more appreciation for what he brings each time he does step on the field.
For Seahawks fans watching tonight, no Kupp means the offense might look a bit scrappier and a little less polished. Still, if Horton manages to snag a couple of big plays on national television, don’t be surprised if some people start up those “unexpected hero” storylines by Monday morning. In the NFL, it’s always about who’s ready and healthy when the lights go up.
Disclaimer:
All injury details and player updates are based on official team reports and verified sports media sources as of November 2025. Player status and recovery timelines may change with new information.
