The Los Angeles Rams announced that second-year running back Cam Akers suffered a torn Achillies while training and is expected to miss the entire 2021 season.
This is obviously a brutal blow for the Rams and Akers, who seemed like he was primed for a breakout season after coming on in the second half of his rookie year.
Akers led the Rams in rushing last season, carrying the ball 145 times for 625 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also had 11 receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown in the passing game.
The Rams opted not to bring back their backup, Malcolm Brown, this offseason, with him signing with the Miami Dolphins in free agency. That leaves them short on running back depth now that Akers will be out of the season.
As things currently stand, Darrell Henderson is set to be the team’s No. 1 option at running back. He has dealt with a number of injuries in the past and has been rehabbing an ankle injury this offseason though, so the Rams will definitely need another option to complement him.
The other options on the roster are Xavier Jones, Raymond Calais, Jake Funk and Otis Anderson, none of which have a single carry in the NFL.
If the Rams want to look outside the organization, there are still some solid veterans available on the free-agent market. Among them are a familiar face in Todd Gurley, as well as Adrian Peterson, Duke Johnson, Dion Lewis, LeSean McCoy and Le’Veon Bell.
This was an especially big blow because it came just before the start of training camp. Rookies and quarterbacks are set to report on Sunday, July 25, with veterans arriving at UC Irvine two days later. The Rams will hold their first training camp practice on Wednesday, July 28.
