WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Never before at any level in his football career had Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell sustained a hamstring injury.
That all changed this year, when in Week 7 against the Jaguars he re-aggravated one he sustained earlier this season.
Atwell said Wednesday it was something "technical," meaning "when it happened, it was something slight, and I caught it. And when we played Jacksonville, I re-aggravated it, so I just had to get it back strong and rest a little bit to get it back normal."
Although it landed him on Injured Reserve and caused him to miss the team's last four games, he knew that was the right decision after having understanding conversations with both head coach Sean McVay and senior vice president of sports medicine and performance Reggie Scott. Now, Atwell is slated to make his return Sunday against the Panthers.
"It feels great to be back," said Atwell, who was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
McVay has repeatedly said Atwell has answered the bell when given his opportunities, and there was no greater example of that than Week 4 against the Colts when he connected with quarterback Matthew Stafford on what became the game-winning touchdown in a 27-20 win over Indianapolis.
"He's an explosive player," Stafford said. "Obviously, he can get behind the defense. He's made some big plays in this league. He's made some big plays this season for us. He's a guy that's a home run threat every time he is on the field. He's a great teammate, was unbelievable in his rehab process and getting back and just always being the same guy when we see him, which is awesome. I'm excited for him just to feel healthy again and feel good to go."
"He's been a really good football player for us that's always just answered the bell based on the opportunities he's had," head coach Sean McVay said. "It's our job to be able to figure out, how do we take advantage of his skillset? I think (offensive coordinator) Mike (LaFleur) and our offensive coaching staff have done a really good job of highlighting a bunch of different people. Getting Tutu back into the mix is going to be another opportunity for them to do that."
With the hamstring injury being a first, so too is the chance to contribute to a contending team. Atwell missed most of his 2021 rookie season – including the Rams' Super Bowl LVI-winning playoff run – due to season-ending shoulder surgery after the eighth game of that season, but is set to return to a Rams team that has won six consecutive games and sits in first place in the NFC.
"It feels great, man," Atwell said of the opportunity. "Just like I said, keep attacking it, stack every day as one. Attacking these meetings, workouts, practices. We're focused on the Panthers, and we just getting ready to prepare for them, and we're going to do what we got to do."
