Is Rams’ Cam Akers on way out? Sean McVay says back won’t practice or play Sunday
Is Cam Akers’ future with the Rams in doubt?
The third-year running back did not practice Friday and coach Sean McVay said Akers will be out of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers at SoFi Stadium.
Akers was absent from practice Thursday for what was listed as personal reasons.
“We’re just working through some different stuff,” McVay said Friday, declining several times to elaborate.
Asked if he expected Akers to be part of the team moving forward, McVay said, “We’re working through different things right now.”
The already injury-depleted Rams offense added star receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) to the injury report. Meanwhile, top back Cam Akers was absent.
With the trade deadline approaching, will the Rams be shopping for another running back?
“I don’t know,” McVay said. “I wouldn’t say no, ever. We’ll always explore options if we feel like there’s chances to upgrade.
“That’s probably not something that’s at the forefront.”
The Rams, who are trying to operate with an injury-ravaged offensive line, rank last in the NFL in rushing.
Akers, a second-round draft pick in 2020, is the Rams leading rusher with 151 yards and a touchdown in 51 carries. In last Sunday’s 22-10 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, he rushed for 33 yards in 13 carries.
Earlier this season, McVay told reporters that he wanted to see more urgency from Akers, who was sidelined for nearly the entire 2021 season while recovering from an Achilles injury. Akers returned for the regular-season finale and played during the postseason run to the Super Bowl title, but he struggled to duplicate his rookie production.
The Rams are 2-3 going into Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers at SoFi Stadium.
McVay said running backs Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown will joined by Ronnie Rivers, who will be activated for the game from the practice squad.
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“Everybody’s got to step up because Cam, he played a big role in this offense and was a huge part of this offense,” Henderson said. “So, we just got to go out and execute and do our best.”
Henderson declined to speak about Akers’ situation but said Akers was “good.”
“We trust he’s going to be good, so he’ll be all right,” Henderson said. “We going to do this for him.”
Said Brown: “We’re just going to let Sean, Cam, whoever’s in that situation, just let them handle it and we just continue the same routine.”
Akers, 23, showed potential during his rookie season when he rushed for 625 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for a career-high 171 yards against the New England Patriots.
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In the playoffs, he rushed for 131 yards in an NFC wild-card victory over the Seattle Seahawks and 90 yards in a divisional-round defeat to the Green Bay Packers.
After the season, McVay and general manager Les Snead spoke about expanding Akers’ role. Akers suffered the Achilles injury before training camp in 2021, however, and after he returned had said he was not satisfied with his performance.
In training camp before this season, Akers said he was looking forward to showcasing his skills.
“Whether it’s runs, passes, screens, whatever I need to do,” he said. “Whenever my number’s called, whether it’s from the slot, the outside receiver to the backfield, I’ll be ready, whatever it is.”
Before the game against the Cowboys, Akers was asked what would be the key to establishing the running game.
“Probably just sticking with it, not getting away from it, being true to the run,” he said. “I think that’s the biggest thing.”
Etc.
Receiver Cooper Kupp (foot), defensive lineman Aaron Donald (foot), tight end Tyler Higbee (ankle), cornerback Cobie Durant (hamstring) and backup quarterback John Wolford (neck) were limited Friday and are listed as questionable for Sunday. Kupp, Donald and Higbee are expected to play and Durant and Wolford are expected to be available. Cornerback David Long (groin) was a full participant. ... McVay said offensive lineman David Edwards, who is on injured reserve after suffering two concussions, would see a specialist in Pittsburgh for evaluation and advice. In 2019, after suffering multiple concussions, former Rams receiver Brandin Cooks traveled to Pittsburgh to meet with Dr. Michael Collins, director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program. “I know those doctors were incredibly helpful and provided a lot of clarity for Brandin that he’s done great with,” McVay said.
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