The offense for the Los Angeles Rams struggled mightily once again versus the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, resulting in a loss that cost them the division.
They managed to dodge a bullet after quarterback Jared Goff was able to stay in the game despite suffering a broken thumb. Regardless, he has since undergone surgery to repair the thumb and will be sidelined for the 2020 season finale versus the Arizona Cardinals.
The Rams suffered another key loss during the game with running back Darrell Henderson sustaining a high-ankle sprain. He has since been placed on injured reserve to end the regular season.
Fortunately, there is some good news in L.A. as head coach Sean McVay is optimistic about running back Cam Akers making his return in Week 17, per J.B. Long of the team’s website:
"There's a possibility" of RB Cam Akers being available for the @RamsNFL regular season finale (high ankle sprain), per McVay.
Darrell Henderson will be place on I/R with an ankle injury sustained against Seattle.
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) December 29, 2020
The loss of Henderson leaves the Rams without its leading rusher on the season. Of course, there is still good reason to be optimistic in the event that Akers is back in the mix.
McVay had largely went with a committee approach in the backfield for the bulk of the year with their trio of talent in Akers, Henderson and veteran Malcolm Brown. Of course, it was seemingly only a matter of time before the second-round pick was able to take control and see an increase in touches.
Akers had established himself as the clear-cut workhorse in the backfield during the final stretch of the 2020 campaign. He would return just in time to replicate his solid performance against the Cardinals in Week 13 when he rushed for 72 yards on 21 carries.
With their playoff hopes still intact, the Rams could opt to take a cautious approach and avoid risking further aggravating Akers’ injury. Should he be unable to play once again, then McVay would need to rely on Brown, along with rookies Xavier Jones and Raymond Calais — who have spent most of their time on special teams.
