Sean McVay explains why Rams didn't activate Tutu Atwell off IR

The Los Angeles Rams designated both Tutu Atwell and Ahkello Witherspoon to return from injured reserve this past week, an encouraging development for each side of the ball. But on Saturday, only one of them was activated before the Rams’ Week 13 game.

The Rams never activated Atwell off IR, keeping him there for at least one more week. That was after Sean McVay said he expected Atwell to be back for the game against the Carolina Panthers, which made the decision not to activate him a bit surprising.

After the Rams’ 31-28 loss to Carolina, McVay was asked why Atwell was never activated despite saying he would return. It doesn’t sound like Atwell wasn’t ready to go, but it was instead a roster decision by Los Angeles.

“It goes all into your 48 and special teams and all those different things have factors in that,” McVay said.

We’ll see if Atwell is activated in time for next week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, but in order for that to happen, the Rams will need to clear a roster spot for him. They have two more weeks to decide whether to activate Atwell. If he isn't activated, he’ll remain on IR for the rest of the season.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Sean McVay explains why Rams didn't activate Tutu Atwell off IR