The Los Angeles Rams were expected to get back a couple of key contributors for their Week 13 matchup against the Carolina Panthers in cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and wide receiver Tutu Atwell.
Witherspoon was activated off injured reserve ahead of the game and wound up playing 23% of the team’s defensive snaps.
Atwell, however, did not return despite Rams head coach Sean McVay previously suggesting that he would. The 26-year-old has been sidelined for more than a month due to a hamstring injury.
McVay was asked if Atwell would play this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals and he still could not say for sure.
“We’ll see,” McVay said. “It’s one of those deals, like I told you guys afterwards, I love Tutu. I love everything he’s about. I would like to be able to figure out a way to get him going and get him involved if that fits for the collective, relative to the 48.
“There are a lot of factors in that. Once we get going on the game plan, we want to try to be able to figure out how to do that, but we have to have some other things that are in alignment before I can give you a clear-cut answer on it.”
In order for the Rams to activate Atwell off injured reserve, they would have to cut someone from their 53-man roster.
The Rams understandably don’t want to rush into a decision unless they have a clear plan in place for Atwell, who has been used sparingly on offense this season.
Atwell was expected to have a bigger role after re-signing with the Rams on a one-year, $10 million contract, but he has only caught four passes for 164 yards and one touchdown in six games thus far.
The Rams have relied heavily on Davante Adams and Puka Nacua this season, which has cut into Atwell’s opportunities. Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith and Jordan Whittington have also gotten more playing time due to their ability to contribute on special teams.
Rams players among top 10 vote-getters for 2026 Pro Bowl Games
The first 2026 Pro Bowl Games voting update has several Los Angeles Rams players among the leaders at their respective positions.
Matthew Stafford is seventh among all players with 24,335 votes, good for second at quarterback behind only the New England Patriots’ Drake Maye (31,452).
Kamren Curl (first; strong safety), Puka Nacua (third; wide receiver), Nate Landman (third; inside linebacker), Byron Young (third; outside linebacker), Jared Verse (sixth; outside linebacker), Cobie Durant (fifth; cornerback), Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (sixth; cornerback), Ethan Evans (ninth; punter) and Shaun Dolac (ninth; special team player) are also among the top 10 vote-getters at their respective positions.
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