The Los Angeles Rams offense has been difficult to stop this season with Matthew Stafford playing at an MVP-level and Davante Adams and Puka Nacua representing one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL.
The Rams can attack teams in many different ways, but one player they haven’t been able to utilize is wide receiver Tutu Atwell.
The 26-year-old has been sidelined for the past month due to a hamstring injury. He also missed Week 6 and barely played in the Rams’ blowout win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London after re-aggravating the hamstring.
Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters on Monday that Atwell should make his return against the Carolina Panthers in Week 13, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
Rams head coach Sean McVay on Monday said the team will open wide receiver Tutu Atwell’s 21-day practice window this week, and that he expects Atwell to play Sunday against the Panthers in Charlotte (10 a.m. PT, FOX).
“He’s chomping at the bit to get back out there,” McVay said. “And so my expectation is he’ll be playing against the Panthers.”
Atwell’s imminent return is good news for a Rams team that just lost three players to injured reserve, including tight end Tyler Higbee, who has caught two touchdowns this season.
Atwell returned to the Rams on a one-year, $10 million contract this season and was expected to have a larger role in the offense.
That hasn’t been the case so far as Atwell has only caught four passes on nine targets for 164 yards and one touchdown in six games.
With the Rams offense firing on all cylinders, it isn’t clear what role Atwell will have down the stretch. However, his game-changing speed is something that other teams always have to be mindful of, and that alone can be valuable when he is on the field.
Matthew Stafford appreciates MVP chants from Rams fans
Matthew Stafford had another remarkable performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and was showered with “MVP” chants from Rams fans at SoFi Stadium, which he appreciated.
“Yeah, I did,” Stafford said. “That was cool. That was awesome. It was a great atmosphere out there today. Our fans did a great job showing up.
“Obviously, both sides of the ball gave them something to cheer about early and often, which was really cool. But they were loud. It was a tough environment, I feel like, for Tampa, and we appreciate that, so it was great.”
