The Los Angeles Rams were dealt a blow in July when they announced that Cam Akers tore his Achilles tendon while training and would miss significant time.
Akers had come on strong for the Rams at the end of the 2020 season, but his injury thrust Darrell Henderson in a leadback role and prompted the front office to trade for Sony Michel. Henderson started off the 2021 season strong, but after struggling in the run game and with injuries, head coach Sean McVay turned to Michel to lead the backfield in recent weeks.
Michel has given Los Angeles a physical presence in the run game and has more than earned his touches, but it appears as though he might cede some work in Week 18 as Akers is expected to make his season debut, via J.B. Long of TheRams.com:
We just spoke with Sean McVay about how he'll handle the return of @RamsNFL RB @thereal_cam3 in Week 18:
"I think you let him go. I think he's ready. We're operating with the expectation and anticipation that Cam Akers is going to make his (season debut) this week." pic.twitter.com/EKBNyn2SR8
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) January 4, 2022
McVay then confirmed after practice on Wednesday that Akers will play on Sunday, via Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic:
Sean McVay says that RB Cam Akers will make his debut as an active player this Sunday, but team still very much measuring out what that actually looks like. Adds that everybody was in a jog-thru today, but that Akers was “flying around” at another speed at practice (was closed).
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 5, 2022
The second-year back being ready to play in less than six months from an Achilles injury is nothing short of amazing and speaks to how hard he attacked rehab. McVay previously said that the expectation was that Akers could return late in the year or in the postseason, which means he is right on schedule.
While Michel has been impressive, Akers offers more as a receiver and has homerun play ability on the ground. Given that it will be his first game back, Akers will likely not see many snaps though he could be mixed in as the receiving back on passing downs.
It is an exciting development for a Rams team that has been winning as of late and Akers should only help them as they gear up for the playoffs.
