One of the major reasons why the Los Angeles Rams have sputtered is the lack of production from the running back room.
Both Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson have been unable to break off many plays on the ground, resulting in more passing down situations for the Rams who have had trouble pass blocking. It’s a multi-layered issue for the offense, but head coach Sean McVay understands that his passing attack doesn’t work without the complement of his ground game.
Akers in particular has been a disappointment so far, and it sounds like changes may be on the horizon as McVay announced that he is being held out of their Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers due to personal reasons, via Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic:
Rams running back Cam Akers will not play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers after missing multiple days of practice, coach Sean McVay said Friday. Akers missed time on Thursday due to “personal” reasons, according to the team’s practice report.
McVay said that the team is working through the situation, and he declined to say whether he believes Akers will be a part of the Rams in the future.
“We’re working through some different things right now,” McVay said.
McVay added Akers is healthy, but did not divulge any more details:
“I would say it’s more like we’re dealing with things internally. I don’t know, exactly…these are kind of uncharted territories,” McVay said. “Out of respect for the situation, I want to keep it internal. You guys will have more information later on.”
The situation feels like it had been brewing for some time, with McVay providing some rare pointed comments about Akers’ performance earlier in the year. It’s unclear what is actually going on with Akers and not fair to speculate, but he will for sure be out this week. According to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, it’s a football matter for Akers:
Re #Rams RB Cam Akers' current status with the team after HC Sean McVay said Akers won't play Sun., wouldn't prax Fri. & was listed DNP w/a 'personal issue' –I'm told the current situation does not involve a 'personal' matter, but rather is 'football related,' per league source.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 15, 2022
After two bad losses, the Rams are searching for answers to help get them back on track and for now it sounds like Akers may not be part of the solution going forward.
