Despite being one of the players who stepped up while Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua were injured, Tutu Atwell was rewarded with nine total snaps on Thursday night.
Even with Jordan Whittington injured, Atwell was leaped over by Tyler Johnson on the depth chart. While he remains the Rams’ current leader in both receptions and receiving yards, the numbers show that the team does not value Atwell within the WR rotation and his future in LA looks like it is coming to a close.
It’s not clear why Atwell has been made a pariah, but they should explore a trade for his sake and the Rams’. Atwell is a player who was finally coming into his own, operating as the team’s WR1 in multiple contests, and while Demarcus Robinson – who scored two touchdowns against Minnesota – may be the favored receiver to fill the WR3 role, it was Atwell who got the job done when called upon.
If Atwell can be effective as the WR1, he can be dangerous as a WR3. However, the Rams are obviously not interested in his services unless someone is injured. So for Atwell, who is in a contract year, a new home may spell greener pastures for a player with his talents.
And for those who say this is an exaggeration, he had nine total snaps on Thursday. Atwell wasn’t listed on the injury report leading into Thursday night so his limited playing time was a coaching decision.