3 in-house punt returner candidates for the Rams in Week 9

Los Angeles Rams punt returner Alex Bachman is, after all, back on the practice squad after his reported release on Tuesday.

The transaction could be more of a technicality than anything else. Removing Bachman from the 53-man roster meant cornerback Cam Lampkin could take his place.

Lampkin has exhausted his three practice-squad elevations and had to be signed to be available for another game. Unofficially, the Rams have 51 players on the active roster, with possiblereinforcements from injured reserve to fill the final slots. 

What does it mean, if anything, for the Rams' plans at punt returner in Week 9? Quite possibly, a whole lot of nothing. Frankly, however, Bachman hasn't done the job, so considering alternatives is worthwhile. 

Rams' in-house options at punt returner after recent roster shuffle

Alex Bachman - the tried and not-so-true veteran

Bachman has averaged 5.2 yards per punt return since Xavier Smith's release. He hasn't been much better on kickoffs. He's a veteran and a known commodity, but Rams fans are ready for a change.

Brennan Presley - the untested youngster

Currently housed on the practice squad, Presley joined the Rams last season as an undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma State. Aside from returning kicks in the preseason, Presley has college experience as both a kickoff and punt returner, albeit not a very effective one. He averaged only 4.7 yards on punt runbacks 51 career attempts. 

Still, with solid speed (4.46-second 40-time), shiftiness, and youthful energy, perhaps Presley could vitalize a lifeless Rams return game.

Tutu Atwell - for-the-heck-of-it flier

Atwell seems like the type of speedy, little-used receiver who could make himself useful on special teams. Yet his only action as a returner came in his rookie year, when Atwell returned 10 punts for 54 yards (and five kickoffs for 87). It's somewhat puzzling that the Rams haven't tried him there since, given his vertical speed and their lack of explosive threats at the position. 

Rather ironically, Smith remains their most dynamic punt returner since Brandon Powell's flash-in-the-pan 2021 season. 

Is Atwell a little too small? Punt returners in particular are often slight of frame, but at 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, Atwell is pushing the limits of NFL-standard sturdiness.

Could he withstand the full-speed, swarming hits from coverage units and hold onto the ball? The Rams moved on from Smith in large part due to ball security concerns, so the theoretical issues with Atwell could scare them off. 

Of course, they could also go out and get someone, or better yet, a returner who can moonlight as a receiver, too. That could be the best option if a realistic addition is out there. We'll see.

This Rams fan is just hoping Bachman isn't back, man.

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