Why arent the Rams playing $10-million receiver

Before this season, the Rams signed receiver Tutu Atwell to a one-year, $10-million contract.

It appeared as if coach Sean McVay was dedicated to absolutely incorporating the 2021 second-round draft choose into a receiver corps that included Puka Nacua and new arrival Davante Adams, a three-time All-Pro.

But Atwell had only 4 catches before he suffered a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve in late October, and the Rams didn’t activate him for Sunday’s recreation, a 31-28 defeat by the Carolina Panthers.

Xavier Smith, who also returns punts, stuffed the speedy receiver position and caught three passes for 82 yards, including one for 51 yards.

McVay indicated after the recreation that the determination to not activate Atwell was a roster management issue influenced closely by personnel groupings and particular groups wants that have an effect on the 48-player game-day restrict.

On Monday, when requested if Atwell would play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, McVay was noncommittal, pending the formulation of this week’s recreation 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.”

McVay said Atwell has accomplished “everything that he can control” but “certain roles and rhythms are established relative to special teams” and the personnel required from numerous place teams.

“There’s a lot of layers to it, some of which he just has no control over and that’s the unfortunate thing,” McVay said. “But we want to be able to figure out how to get him up.”

Rams huge receiver Tutu Atwell will get a high-five from coach Sean McVay during training camp in July.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Throughout his profession, Atwell has persistently said that he was joyful to be affected person, liked being half of the Rams and could be prepared 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 landing against the Indianapolis Colts. But he in any other case served mainly as a potential menace in an offense that has featured quarterback Matthew Stafford, Nacua, Adams, working backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum and as many as three tight ends.

Smith, Jordan Whittington and rookie Konata Mumpfield, all of whom play of particular groups, have also been half of the receiver rotation.

Atwell said last week that he spent the time on injured reserve therapeutic, getting stronger and serving to teammates put together for video games.

“I feel great and ready to get back at it,” he said.

Smith, who started his profession with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2023, said Atwell has been instrumental in serving to him develop. He said Atwell welcomed him to the receivers room, and fashions a good instance.

“So when it’s my turn,” Smith said Monday, “I just want to kind of follow those same footsteps and do it just as good as he does.”