Rams’ Tutu Atwell Remains on the Sidelines Despite Recovery from Injury
Before this season, the Rams signed receiver Tutu Atwell to a one-year, $10-million contract, indicating coach Sean McVay’s commitment to incorporating the 2021 second-round draft pick into a receiver corps that included Puka Nacua and new arrival Davante Adams, a three-time All-Pro.
However, Atwell had only four catches before suffering a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve in late October. Despite his recovery, the Rams did not activate him for Sunday’s game, a 31-28 defeat by the Carolina Panthers.
Uncertainty Surrounds Atwell’s Future with the Rams
Xavier Smith, who also returns punts, filled the speedy receiver role and caught three passes for 82 yards, including one for 51 yards. McVay indicated after the game that the decision to not activate Atwell was a roster management issue influenced heavily by personnel groupings and special teams needs that affect the 48-player game-day limit.
On Monday, when asked if Atwell would play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, McVay was noncommittal, pending the formulation of this week’s game plan. “I love Tutu. Love everything he’s about,” McVay said during a videoconference with reporters. “Would like to be able to figure out a way to get him going and get him involved and if that fits for the collective relative to the 48, there’s a lot of factors in that.”
Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell gets a high-five from coach Sean McVay during training camp in July.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Atwell’s Career and Contributions to the Rams
Throughout his career, Atwell has consistently said that he was happy to be patient, loved being part of the Rams, and would be ready whenever called upon. After an injury-marred rookie season, he caught 18 passes in 2022, 39 in 2023, and 42 in 2024.
This season, he scored a game-winning 88-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. However, he otherwise served mainly as a potential threat in an offense that has featured quarterback Matthew Stafford, Nacua, Adams, running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, and
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