The Los Angeles Rams reacquired veteran receiver Tutu Atwell from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for running back Jarquez Hunter. Rams head coach Sean McVay clarified that the surprise trade had “nothing to do” with a potential suspension facing wide receiver Puka Nacua.
Sean McVay Explains the Tutu Atwell Return and Roster Depth
The Los Angeles Rams surprised fans just ahead of the NFL roster deadline by bringing back a familiar face to their receiving corps. In a trade with the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles sent second-year running back Jarquez Hunter in exchange for Tutu Atwell, as confirmed by a league source to the Southern California News Group.
Atwell spent the first five seasons of his career with the Rams after being selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. After signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins in March, Atwell’s stint in Miami proved brief before the homecoming trade back to Los Angeles.
“Good to be able to break Tutu Atwell back,” Rams coach Sean McVay said Thursday night. “Felt like it was a chance to be able to add depth to the receiving room.”
Photo: newsday.com
Sean McVay, Rams coach
Addressing the timing of the deal, Sean McVay explicitly rejected any connection between acquiring Atwell and the ongoing speculation surrounding Puka Nacua. Nacua faces potential league discipline following offseason legal headlines involving a woman who accused him of biting and making an antisemitic remark.
“It was exclusively a guy we were familiar with . . . We’re familiar with Tutu. He adds depth. It gives us an opportunity to be able to have that speed element, and he can do some different things. It had nothing to do with anything other than just adding depth to the receiver room.”
Sean McVay, Rams Head Coach, via NBC Sports
How the Trade Affects the Rams Roster and Offense
Atwell returns to an offense featuring Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, operating under head coach Sean McVay and offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who previously served as the Rams’ passing game coordinator. During his previous tenure in Los Angeles, Atwell’s most productive campaign came in 2024, when he hauled in 46 catches for 562 yards. Last season, despite playing in just 10 games due to injuries and limited offensive snaps, Atwell recorded six catches for 192 yards, highlighted by an 88-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford in a comeback victory against the Indianapolis Colts.
Analysts note that Atwell could work out of the slot and provide a familiar safety valve for Matthew Stafford when opposing defenses focus heavily on Nacua and Adams. At the same time, his arrival creates a roster crunch that could challenge younger players and rookies such as CJ Daniels and Xavier Smith for playing time or final roster spots.
“There’s some semantics that you guys will see when our 53-man (roster) comes out,” McVay said, adding that they didn’t trade for Atwell with a potential suspension for embattled star receiver Puka Nacua in mind. “We have a couple things that we can do that creatively give us an opportunity to be able to onboard Tutu without affecting any of the guys that … we projected as our 53.”
Jarquez Hunter Moves to Miami as Running Back Rooms Shift
In exchange for Atwell, the Miami Dolphins acquired running back Jarquez Hunter. Selected by Los Angeles in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Auburn, Hunter did not record a single carry on offense during his rookie season, logging 22 snaps across five games exclusively on special teams.
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In Los Angeles, Hunter was blocked on the depth chart by Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, while Ronnie Rivers secured the trusted backup role behind them. The trade leaves the Rams heavily positioned to carry just three running backs into their upcoming season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on September 10 in Melbourne, Australia. Meanwhile, Hunter heads to Miami, where a change of scenery could offer a clearer path to playing time alongside De’Von Achane.
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