Could Cooper Kupp win NFL Comeback Player of the Year next season?

Cooper Kupp might receive NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors next season after being sidelined due to injury this year.

The Los Angeles Rams receiver has been on the injured reserve list since undergoing ankle surgery back in November. He is expected to miss the final two games of the season.

Kupp has appeared in nine games this year, recording 75 catches, 812 receiving yards and six touchdowns. In WeeK 5 against the Dallas Cowboys, he came away with an entertaining 75-yard touchdown grab, the longest of his career.

It's been a horrible season for the Rams, who’ve been plagued with injuries. Not only has Kupp been inactive, but both quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive tackle Aaron Donald have missed time as well.

The Rams own a 5-10 record and are officially eliminated from playoff contention. Last year, they went 12-5 and, of course, picked up a Super Bowl victory over Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Amazing 2021 season

Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI Victory Parade & Rally

Kupp’s 2021 season was truly one for the ages, as he led the NFL in receptions with 145, receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16). He joined Jerry Rice (1990), Sterling Sharpe (1992) and Steve Smith (2005) as the only players since 1970 to win the receiving triple crown.

He also made the first Pro Bowl of his career and was named the 2021 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

To top it off, he received the Super Bowl MVP after catching eight passes for 92 yards and two TDs, including the game-winner.

Rice is the only other player to ever win the receiving triple crown, Offensive Player of the Year, and Super Bowl MVP in their careers. When a player's name is mentioned in the same sentence as the greatest receiver of all time, they know they've had a memorable season.

Cooper Kupp 2023 Comeback Player of the Year?

San Francisco 49ers v Los Angeles Rams

If Kupp can put together an injury-free season in 2023, he could definitely wind up winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. He might end up competing with guys like Stafford, Donald, and former Rams teammate Odell Beckham Jr. for the award.

Don’t look for Cooper to repeat his 2021 campaign, though, as those types of seasons obviously don’t happen very often. Expect him to bounce back and have a Pro-Bowl-caliber year, serving as one of the top wideouts in the league.