NFC Notes: Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, 49ers, Rams, Seahawks

49ers

  • 49ers QB Brock Purdy says he will not need any procedure on his big toe this offseason. Will continue to work to strengthen it, but is free and clear to have a full offseason. (Nick Wagoner)
  • 49ers rookie DL Mykel Williams says rehab from his torn ACL is going well. He said he “should be” ready to go right around training camp if not just before it opens. (Wagoner)
  • 49ers TE George Kittle said his Achilles tear was a best-case scenario – up high toward the soleus muscle:  “I had a clean tear. They didn’t have to drill into my heel. And where the repair was was where there’s more blood flow. So it takes some time off the recovery time.” (Matt Barrows)

Rams

During a recent podcast appearance, Rams QB Matthew Stafford was asked if this is his last chance to win a Super Bowl.

“I try not to think about that kind of stuff,” Stafford told Jim Gray on the Let’s Go! podcast. “I just try to enjoy the team that I’m on and the moment that I’m in. I love coming to work. I love the group that we get to do it with. These, like I said, opportunities don’t come every single year, so I just try to live in them and cherish them when they’re here. I sure hope it’s not my last opportunity, but we’ll see. You never know. Take these games and these seasons one at a time and figure it out from there. But I just know that I’m happy in the moment that I am right now doing what I’m doing.”

Seahawks

Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp has continued his fantastic career in Seattle, and HC Mike Macdonald acknowledged his contribution to the team.

That’s awesome,” Macdonald said of Kupp leading the team in receiving Saturday, via the team’s website. “That’s really great. Every catch that he makes seems like it’s in some sort of high-leverage situation. I mean, this guy’s made an absolute massive impact on our team. Add that to a Hall of Fame career is pretty cool. Glad he’s a Seahawk.”

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold said that Kupp has shown up in ways that don’t show up in the box score.

Coop’s been great,” Darnold said. “He’s obviously such a great leader for us. But the way he’s stepped up—I don’t think people realize what he does in the run game as a blocker. He’s one of the best, if not the best, run-blocking receiver that I’ve ever seen, or in the NFL, throughout his entire career. And with the accolades and everything that he’s done in the NFL, to be unselfish like that in the run game, it’s something special. But, yeah, he’s obviously been showing up, throughout practice and training camp, all those things as a receiver and catching the rock. And so for him to do that in a game and in games, especially in big-time games, that’s huge for us.

Kupp added that he’s team-first and admitted that he wants the ball more often, but puts team success over his personal accolades.

Everyone wants the ball at the end of the day,” Kupp said. “Some guys are more vocal about it than others, but I can promise you everyone wants the ball the exact same. So yeah, it’s great when it finds you, but I’ve said it before, you’re ready for the opportunity when it comes. You’ve got to prepare as if that’s going to be there. I’m glad I was able to get my hands on the ball a few times, but also, I’m just really excited about how the guys played in the run game as well. K9 going for what he did and being able to do that in the run game, it makes the pass game become a lot easier when you can run the ball the way we have been. We’ve got to be able to keep that up.

Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?

Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on X.com and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!

Leave a Reply