The Los Angeles Rams have traded running back Jarquez Hunter to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for wide receiver Tutu Atwell, the team announced Thursday. The move brings Atwell back to the organization that drafted him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, where he spent the first five seasons of his career and won a Super Bowl as an injured rookie.
Rams Reacquire Tutu Atwell in Trade with Dolphins
The trade comes as the Rams prepare for their 53-man roster deadline and their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10 in Melbourne, Australia. According to The New York Times, the Rams will take on $1.075 million of Atwell’s contract for the current season, while incurring a cap hit of approximately $250,000 from Hunter’s deal.
McVay Denies Link to Puka Nacua Legal Issues
The timing of the acquisition led to speculation that the Rams were bracing for the potential absence of star receiver Puka Nacua. Nacua is currently navigating a legal matter involving allegations that he bit a woman and made an antisemitic remark during a New Year’s Eve 2025 excursion. Reports cited by Grant Young of the New York Post, referencing ESPN’s Adam Schefter, suggest Nacua could face a suspension, potentially missing the Week 1 game in Australia.
Head coach Sean McVay explicitly denied that the trade was a reaction to Nacua’s situation. It had nothing to do with that,
McVay told reporters, stating the move was exclusively a guy we were familiar with
and was intended to add depth and a speed element
to the receiver room. McVay further noted that the team has the flexibility to onboard Atwell without affecting any of the guys that … we projected as our 53
according to Daily News.
Roster Impact and Player Profiles
Atwell, 26, is 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds. While he was a steady producer from 2022 to 2024—recording 99 catches for 1,343 yards and four touchdowns in that span—his production dipped last season. In 10 games, he recorded six catches for 192 yards and one touchdown, though one of those receptions was the NFL’s longest catch of the season, an 88-yard touchdown against the Colts. Atwell had signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal with Miami this past spring after previously signing a $10 million one-year deal with Los Angeles last offseason.
Jarquez Hunter, a 23-year-old product of Auburn, was a fourth-round pick in 2025. Hunter never recorded a regular-season carry as a rookie, appearing in five games solely on special teams for 22 snaps. He was blocked on the depth chart by Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers. The trade makes it likely the Rams will carry only three running backs on their active roster.
Competition for Receiver Depth
The Rams are seeking a dependable No. 3 receiver to slot behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Atwell joins a crowded room that includes several competitors for playing time:
- Jordan Whittington: Considered to be in a strong position for the WR3 role.
- CJ Daniels: A sixth-round rookie who has had a highly touted training camp and preseason.
- Xavier Smith: A receiver and kick returner who fills a special teams role.
- Konata Mumpfield: A second-year project who recently received praise from McVay.
- Brennan Presley: A candidate who made his case during the preseason opener.
While Atwell provides familiarity with the system run by McVay and offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, he has historically struggled for consistent playing time. According to Newsday, McVay played Atwell on only 16.5% of offensive snaps last season, partly due to injuries and perceived blocking deficiencies.