The return of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua as well as the strengthening of the Rams' defense

During the off-season, Cooper Kupp co-founded a coffee company.

And when the veteran Rams receiver returned to the lineup Thursday night after a four-game absence, the recently faltering offense was in for a welcome boost.

There was an unexpected double shot.

Receiver Puka Nacua also returned to the lineup and the two stars helped the Rams defeat the Minnesota Vikings 30-20 in front of 72,127 at SoFi Stadium.

Kupp caught a touchdown pass and Nacua racked up 106 yards receiving as the Rams won their second straight game and improved their record to 3-4.

Rams receiver Puka Nacua (17) catches a pass while Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore (2) chases him. Nacua returned from injury and caught seven passes for 106 yards.

(Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes to receiver Demarcus Robinson, one to Kupp and one to running back Kyren Williams, and rookie edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young got the defense going as the Rams bounced back from the win over Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday handed the Vikings (5-2) their second loss in a row.

Kupp and Nacua's performances buoyed a team that beat the Raiders 20-15 and gave players confidence they could repeat last season's turnaround after a 3-6 start that ended in the playoffs.

But without Kupp and Nacua — as well as several other projected starters still on injured reserve — that probably wouldn't be possible.

Kupp, sidelined with an ankle injury, caught five passes for 51 yards and incurred several pass interference penalties. Nacua, who was activated Thursday after spending five games on injured reserve because of a knee injury, caught seven passes.

The question now is whether the Rams will consider trading Kupp, as next up is an NFC West game against the Seattle Seahawks on November 3 – two days before the NFL trade deadline.

The 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year spent the first part of the week answering questions about speculation that the Rams might move on due to their poor start and Kupp's huge contract.

“I have to control what I can control,” he said Tuesday. “And right now that means being the best LA Ram I can be, and I will continue to do that.”

While Kupp's return was expected Thursday night, Nacua's return came as something of a surprise. The second-year pro was on injured reserve because of a knee injury he suffered in training camp in the season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions.

Nacua did not practice last week and the Rams opened their 21-day window to return on Monday. He was listed as limited after Tuesday and Wednesday's walkthroughs.

But about four hours before kickoff, the Rams announced that Nacua had been added to the roster. He was not on the inactive list released 90 minutes before the game, but it was still unclear how much, if any, Nacua would play.

Nacua started and, after dropping a pass on the first play, looked like the player who set NFL rookie records in 2023.

Kyren Williams (right) of the Rams celebrates his touchdown catch against the Vikings with Colby Parkinson. Williams also ran for 97 yards.

(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)

Stafford, who came into the game with just three touchdown passes this season, completed 25 of 34 passes for 279 yards and the four touchdowns with one interception.

Kyren Williams ran for 97 yards on 23 carries.

The score was 14-14 at halftime after Stafford threw touchdown passes to Williams and Kupp and Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold played touchdown passes with tight end Josh Oliver and receiver Trent Sherfield Sr.

Early in the third quarter, Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted a pass from Stafford. The Vikings appeared to be on their way to a touchdown when Jefferson made a spectacular sideline catch at the Rams' four-yard line, but the Rams forced the Vikings to settle for a field goal and a 17-14 lead admit.

Stafford recovered the interception to give the Rams the lead. Mid-range passes to Tutu Atwell and Nacua set up a 25-yard touchdown pass to Robinson and a 21-17 lead.

After another Vikings field goal, Kupp drew a pass interference penalty, setting up Stafford's 10-yard touchdown pass to Robinson, extending the lead to eight points.

With less than two minutes left, Young sacked Darnold in the end zone, giving the Rams their final 10-point lead. Television footage appeared to show Young grabbing Darnold's facemask during the tackle, but the referees did not see the penalty and the play could not be reviewed.