Rams running back Cam Akers started the season in the doghouse. Then, he wanted out. It appeared he’d get his wish. After a failed effort to trade him (they didn’t refuse offers -- they were desperately trying to unload him), Akers is back in the fold.
He had five carries for only three yards last Sunday against the Rams, in his first game since Week Five. He was on the field for 11 snaps, 19 percent of the total offensive players.
This week, Akers could get more work, especially with Malcolm Brown out with a hamstring injury.
“He’s done good,” coach Sean McVay told reporters on Friday regarding Akers. “He’s done everything that we’ve asked. I thought when he ended up coming back last week, we had already had a good amount of the preparation done, but he ended up doing a great job towards the latter part of it with what he could control. I thought he contributed. He’s had a really good week, he’s practiced well, he’s done a great job in meetings. You can’t ask of anything other than the things that Cam’s done.”
Akers had a promising rookie season. Last year, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon before training camp. He nevertheless returned late in the regular season, and he played in the postseason.
He was expected to have a major impact this year. Who knows? He still could. He has shown he has the talent. As the issues that were clouding his relationship with the team seem to subside, maybe he’ll have another late-season surge, like he did in 2020.