Two key members of the Los Angeles Rams could return as early as Week 13.
The team designated receiver Tutu Atwell and cornerback Akhello Witherspoon to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, and head coach Sean McVay said he expects both to play against the Carolina Panthers.
Atwell missed the past four games with a hamstring injury, while Witherspoon missed nine games with a broken clavicle.
The return of both players is huge for the Rams’ offense and defense.
While Atwell played sparingly when he was healthy, his speed is a piece the offense has missed in recent weeks. He has caught just four receptions for 164 yards and one touchdown on 152 offensive snaps, including a game-sealing 88-yard touchdown in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Witherspoon, meanwhile, was the team’s starting cornerback in the first two weeks before his injury and was playing at a high level before his injury in Week 2. The trio of Darious Williams, Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. has played well in his stead, but Witherspoon will be needed now more than ever after the injuries to safety Quentin Lake and Roger McCreary. Both are on injured reserve.
Getting both back now is also crucial for the rest of the Rams’ regular season. An early return gives L.A. ample time to get both back into football shape down the stretch so they’ll be ready for the postseason. The Rams expect to be a top seed in the NFC playoffs, perhaps even earning the first-round bye as the No. 1 seed.
Atwell gives quarterback Matthew Stafford a different type of weapon on the outside, while Witherspoon is a veteran cornerback who can continue to lock down defenders in the secondary, while the pass rush attacks opposing quarterbacks.
While the Rams have sustained some tough injuries across the roster, getting back to two important role players is huge for the teams’ Super Bowl aspirations in the coming months.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams designate Tutu Atwell and Akhello Witherspoon to return from IR
Reporting by Tyler Greenawalt, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
