While the Los Angeles Rams suffered a significant injury blow this week with Cooper Kupp sidelined due to a knee sprain, they did get some good news on this front. Greg Zuerlein is back after missing the past five games with a groin injury, giving the Rams yet another weapon.

When healthy, he’s arguably the best kicker in the game, as evidenced by his first-team All-Pro selection in 2017. He may not be the most accurate guy, but with his leg strength, 60-yard field goals are well within his range.

Sean McVay is thrilled to have “Greg the Leg” back in the mix this week against San Francisco.

“We’re excited to get Greg back. He had a good workout, feels good. Got the full clearance, thumbs up. So, that was why we made that decision and feel good about Greg moving forward,” McVay said.

Cairo Santos did a great job for the Rams, and although he missed two kicks in two games, he made the more important ones late in the game. His field goals proved to be the difference in each of the Rams’ last two wins, which were by two and three points.

McVay called him a “stud” and a “class act,” wishing “him nothing but the best.” However, Santos certainly doesn’t have the leg strength that Zuerlein does, which brings another element into the equation.

Even with that in mind, though, McVay says things are “going to be very similar to what it’s been the last couple weeks.”

“I think there’s a couple situations where just based on – didn’t really have anything to do with the kicking situation, more along the line of just what we felt was going to be best for the execution in terms of some of the fourth-down opportunities that they guys have delivered on,” McVay said Wednesday. “We certainly know that he’s got some range and the ability to – once you get into really anywhere inside that 50, you feel like you’re in scoring position with him. That certainly is something that we feel fortunate to have him back, but as far as affecting the decision making with the way that we’ve operated over the last couple weeks, don’t anticipate that being the case.”

During Zuerlein’s absence, the longest field goal the Rams made was 39 yards by Santos. Sam Ficken’s long was 34 yards, which shows a lack of confidence they had in the young kicker, regardless of what McVay says.

Zuerlein will give the Rams a much longer range for field goals, going all the way back to 55 yards – his long of the season. McVay can downplay things all he wants, but this will be a huge lift for the special teams unit.