Sean McVay shares injury updates on Tutu Atwell and Ahkello Witherspoon

Tutu Atwell and Ahkello Witherspoon have both been on the shelf for the Los Angeles Rams this season. Atwell has missed the last three games while on injured reserve, and Witherspoon has been sidelined since breaking his clavicle in Week 2.

During his press conference on Friday, Sean McVay provided updates on both players and their potential timelines for return. McVay said Atwell should be back next week against the Carolina Panthers after missing four straight games.

Witherspoon’s return is further out, with McVay saying the team is “getting close” to potentially designating him to return from IR, allowing him to practice again. Once the Rams do that, they’ll have 21 days to activate him to the 53-man roster, which is why they don’t want to open that window too early before he’s ready.

Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield have all filled in during Atwell's absence, doing a nice job replacing the speedy receiver. The Rams have gotten by without Witherspoon thanks to improved play from their other cornerbacks, led by Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Cobie Durant.

They'll be happy to get both players back in the near future, though it sounds like Witherspoon is still weeks away from coming back. McVay said earlier this week on the "Coach McVay Show" that December remains the target for the veteran cornerback, but he didn't specify when in December he could return.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams injuries: Updates on Tutu Atwell, Ahkello Witherspoon timelines