INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said Thursday's trade for wide receiver Tutu Atwell had "nothing to do" with a possible suspension for two-time Pro Bowl receiver Puka Nacua.
McVay, speaking after the Rams' preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, said that Atwell adds depth at the position.
"It gives us an opportunity to be able to have that speed element, and he can do some different things," McVay said. "It had nothing to do with anything other than just adding depth to the receiver room."
In March, a woman in Los Angeles filed a lawsuit against Nacua that alleged he made an "unprovoked antisemitic statement" toward her and later bit her on the shoulder. In July, McVay said Nacua's legal situation is "ongoing" and something for which the team is still gathering information and communicating with the league.
The Rams acquired Atwell in exchange for running back Jarquez Hunter. Atwell returns to the team that drafted him in the second round in 2021. He had spent his first five seasons with Los Angeles before signing a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Miami Dolphins in March.
McVay also said Thursday that he has not decided on whether Stetson Bennett or rookie first-round pick Ty Simpson will back up quarterback Matthew Stafford this season. Bennett did not play against the Chargers, but McVay said not to read too much into the distribution of quarterback reps.
Simpson started the game, completing 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown.
"I thought Ty played really well tonight," McVay said.
He added: "We've got three quarterbacks on our roster. Obviously, we've got the reigning MVP of the league and then we've got two guys that we feel really good about. ... Not pigeonholing myself into any sort of decision other than I feel really good about Stetson Bennett [and I] feel really good about Ty Simpson."
Earlier in the week, McVay said the Rams will keep all three quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster.