No, Tutu Atwell did not play tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you're checking the score and wondering where the Rams' speedster is, the answer is simple: the Los Angeles Rams aren't even on the field today.
It's actually Divisional Round weekend in the NFL, but the Rams are scheduled for a massive showdown against the Chicago Bears tomorrow, Sunday, January 18. They’ve got the late-night slot on NBC/Peacock, so you’ll have to wait about 24 hours to see if Matthew Stafford actually looks his way.
The confusion is totally fair. Today’s slate features the Buffalo Bills taking on the Denver Broncos and a late-night NFC West clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. If you’re a Rams fan, you’re basically just a spectator for now, watching to see who might be waiting in the NFC Championship.
Did Tutu Atwell Play Tonight? Clearing Up the Schedule
Honestly, the playoff schedule can be a bit of a mess to keep track of. The Rams earned their spot in this Divisional game by edging out the Carolina Panthers 34-31 in a Wild Card thriller last weekend. Atwell was active for that game, but if you blinked, you probably missed him. He’s been a bit of a ghost in the box score lately.
He played just 10 snaps in the regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals and hasn't exactly been a high-volume target. Even with the Rams' receiving corps dealing with bumps and bruises—Davante Adams and Jordan Whittington have both spent time on the injury report recently—Atwell has remained firmly in the "scarcely used deep threat" category.
The Weird Reality of Atwell’s 2025-2026 Season
It has been a strange year for the former Louisville star. Back in March 2025, the Rams shocked basically everyone by signing him to a one-year, $10 million extension. For a guy who had some big moments in 2023 and 2024, it felt like a bet on his elite speed.
But then the season actually started.
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- The Hamstring Issue: Atwell missed six games mid-season due to a stubborn hamstring injury. He was finally activated from IR on December 13, just before the Week 15 game against the Lions.
- The Production Dip: In 10 games this season, he’s managed only 6 catches. That’s it.
- The Big Play Potential: Even with low volume, he still averages 32 yards per catch. Why? Because when he does catch it, it’s usually an 80-yard bomb, like the one he notched against the Colts in Week 4.
Sean McVay has gone on record saying Atwell "answers the bell" when called upon, but the targets just haven't been there. With Puka Nacua eating up targets and the late-season addition of Davante Adams, the oxygen in the room for a 165-pound deep threat has been pretty thin.
What to Expect for Tomorrow’s Game vs. Chicago
So, if he didn't play tonight, will he play tomorrow at Soldier Field?
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Barring a freak practice injury in the next few hours, Tutu Atwell will be active for the Rams vs. Bears game. However, "active" and "involved" are two very different things in McVay’s offense. He’s currently the WR4 or WR5 on the depth chart, depending on how they feel about Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield on any given Sunday.
Chicago's secondary is opportunistic, and they’ve been playing well in the cold. It’s expected to be a chilly 30 degrees at kickoff in Chicago. That doesn't usually scream "speed-based deep passing game," but Stafford has never been afraid to take a shot if he sees a safety cheating toward the line.
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Is This the End of the Road for Tutu in LA?
This is the part nobody really talks about. Atwell is playing on a one-year "prove it" deal. With only 15 targets on the entire year, he hasn't exactly proven he's a $10 million-a-year asset. Most analysts expect him to hit unrestricted free agency this spring, and it’s highly unlikely the Rams bring him back at that price point again.
He’s a niche player. He’s the guy you bring in to clear out the defense or take one specific shot to the end zone. In a high-stakes playoff game against the Bears, that one shot could be the difference between a trip to the NFC Championship or a flight home to LA.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
- Check the Inactives: Always wait until 90 minutes before tomorrow's 6:30 PM ET kickoff. If Davante Adams or Jordan Whittington are surprise scratches, Atwell's snap count could triple instantly.
- Prop Bet Warning: Betting on Atwell "Overs" is basically a lottery ticket. He either gives you 0 yards or 70 yards on one play. There is no middle ground.
- Weather Watch: Keep an eye on the wind at Soldier Field. High winds kill the deep ball, which effectively removes Atwell's only role in the offense.
Keep your eyes on the Sunday night broadcast. While he didn't suit up tonight, he’s one of the few players in the league who can change a game with a single 4.3-second sprint.