Los Angeles Rams Are Activating Lead RB Cam Akers
The Los Angeles Rams dropped off an early Christmas present for fans when they announced a designated return date for running back Cam Akers. Los Angeles broke the news via Twitter that Akers has been bumped to the 'designated for return' list — five months since suffering an Achilles tear.
Losing Akers in the offseason, Los Angeles traded for former Patriots runner Sony Michel, complementing Darrell Henderson, Jr. as the interim lead back. Akers suffered the injury on July 20 and was largely assumed to miss the season.
Akers was the expected lead horse heading into 2021-22 after a solid rookie campaign last season. The touted dual-threat prospect out of FSU met with the New England Patriots in Week 14 of the 2020 season and rushed for 171 yards on 29 carries.
Throughout 2020-21 the Rams utilized a running back by committee attack — featuring Akers, Henderson and Malcolm Brown, who signed with the Miami Dolphins in the offseason. All along, Akers appeared as the intended bell-cow runner in the group, but a rib injury sidelined Akers for a couple of games to slow down his ascending stock.
Henderson has been on a solid run as the lead back for the Rams, a team that climbed to tie the Arizona Cardinals for the top spot in the NFC West. In 11 of 14 contests played for the Rams this season, Henderson has accrued 671 rushing yards on 148 attempts, adding five touchdowns on the ground.
With three games left in the season, the Rams could see their dynamic back ease his way into good shape with roughly a month to recover.
Also tied for the NFL's second-best record at 10-4, behind the 11-3 Green Bay Packers, the Rams could add a bye week to their schedule — priming Akers for the postseason.
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