Sean McVay: Tutu Atwell trade had "nothing to do" with possible Puka Nacua suspension

The Rams brought wide receiver Tutu Atwell back to the team in a trade with the Dolphins on Thursday and the timing of the deal led to questions about another member of the team’s receiving corps.

Puka Nacua was sued by a woman who accused him of biting her and making an antisemetic remark, which opened up the possibility of the league taking disciplinary action against him. After Thursday night’s preseason game, McVay was asked if the Atwell trade was made to protect against a possible suspension.

“It had nothing to do with that,” McVay said. “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.”

While Atwell might help if the team is without Nacua for any portion of the season, the Rams had a need for receiver depth beyond that scenario and Atwell offered a way to get it without bringing in a player who has no familiarity with the system in Los Angeles. That familiarity didn’t lead to Atwell having a major impact in his first stint with the Rams, but he’ll get another chance to do that this fall.