Tutu Atwell hasn’t exactly met the expectations that come with being a second-round pick, struggling to carve out a role on offense since he was drafted in 2021. But when he has gotten opportunities to play, he’s usually risen to the occasion.
That was the case again on Sunday afternoon in the Los Angeles Rams’ 27-24 win over the San Francisco 49ers. With Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp out, Sean McVay turned to Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson and Jordan Whittington at wide receiver. And it was Atwell who stepped up in the biggest way for Matthew Stafford.
He finished the game with four catches for 93 yards, including a 50-yarder late in the fourth quarter to set up Kyren Williams’ game-tying touchdown. He also had what McVay would call “hidden yardage” by drawing a 48-yard pass interference penalty deep down the field, doing a good job of fighting back for the ball and forcing the official to throw the flag.
Atwell nearly made the play of the game when he threw a pass on a trick play to Robinson for what appeared to be a 32-yard gain, but Robinson was unable to hold on as he went to the ground – just another example of the skill set Atwell brings.
After the game, McVay was asked about Atwell’s performance and he admitted that the speedy receiver should’ve gotten more chances before Sunday.
“I wouldn’t say that I’m surprised,” he said. “It makes you realize he probably should’ve gotten other opportunities. He’s always been called upon and he’s always kind of delivered. You look at early on in the season last year and I think this is a stepping stone for him. I’m proud of him and I think it’s a real tribute to his work.”
TUTU DOWN THERE SOMEWHERE!
📺: @NFLonFOX | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/UBbKBCFb5z
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 22, 2024
It was a similar story last year when Atwell had 22 catches for 270 yards and a touchdown in the first four games while Kupp was out. After that, his role disappeared, catching only 17 passes for 213 yards the rest of the season.
Kupp is expected to miss at least the next two games with an ankle injury, as will Nacua, so we’ll see if McVay learns from last year when he pulled Atwell after Kupp returned. Even after the Rams’ top two receivers come back, Atwell has shown he deserves to play a bunch of snaps as a speed threat on the outside.
Hopefully McVay realizes that this time and keeps going to No. 5 on offense.