Ramsthe team with the best record in the NFC becomes stronger.
The Rams named a receiver on Wednesday. Tutu Atwell and defender Akello Witherspoon return from wounded reserve. Both could play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., coach Sean McVay said.
The Rams also placed cornerback Roger McCreary on injured reserve, asked the Seattle Seahawks to release cornerback Derion Kendrick and signed veteran tight end Nick Vannett.
McVay said last week that Atwell, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, was expected to play on Sunday. But Witherspoon was still believed to be weeks away from returning from an injury suffered in the second week of the season. On Wednesday, Witherspoon said he suffered an injury to his left shoulder blade, not a broken collarbone as McVay initially described to reporters.
McVay said Wednesday that scan results and Witherspoon's work with coaches put him ahead of schedule.
“We need some flexibility to bring Ahello back,” McVeigh said.
McCreery, acquired in an October trade with the Tennessee Titans, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday after suffering a groin injury in the Rams' win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. McCreary played special teams and only played one game on defense against the Buccaneers.
The Rams welcomed back Kendrick, the Rams' 2022 sixth-round draft pick who started six games in 2022 and 12 games in 2023 before suffering a season-ending knee injury on the first day of 2024 training camp.
“He is a person who is friendly and flexible, both inside and out,” McVay said. “We're very lucky that the guys you're asking to help are people who understand what's going on and have actual game experience, and that means a lot at this time of year.”
Vannett, a 10-year pro, was signed off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad to help bolster a position group that will be without veteran Tyler Higbee for at least three more games because of an ankle injury.
The Rams used three-tight end sets. Vannett will join Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and rookie Terrence Ferguson on the roster.
“With Higbee out for a while now, we want to make sure that if you do decide to go with a couple of guys, you're not one injury away from losing part of your game plan,” McVay said.
