Rams running back Cam Akers suffers torn Achilles, likely out for season
Running back Cam Akers suffered a torn Achilles tendon while training for the upcoming season, a Rams official said Tuesday, a major blow for a team set to open training camp in less than two weeks.
Akers was on track to be the featured back in an offense that was projected to be rejuvenated by the arrival of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver DeSean Jackson, but now he’s expected to miss the season.
Akers, 22, tweeted Tuesday afternoon: “I just want to thank any and every person sending prayers my way and wishing me well. I hate this happened but I’m in great spirits and I understand God makes no mistakes. I’ll be back better than ever in no time.”
Akers, a second-round draft pick in 2020, was the Rams’ leading rusher last season and helped them advance to the divisional round of the playoffs, where they lost to the Green Bay Packers. Akers rushed for 846 yards and scored five touchdowns in 15 games, including the playoffs. He sat out two regular-season games because of a rib injury and played through a late-season ankle injury.
Cam Akers did not have the benefit of a normal offseason because of restrictions caused by the pandemic, but the rookie still was able to establish himself as the Rams’ lead running back.
Akers rushed for a career-best 171 yards in 29 carries in a victory over the New England Patriots. He ran for 131 yards and a touchdown in 28 carries in a wild-card playoff win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Akers said after the season and during offseason workouts that he was ready to become a leader.
“The only thing you can do is prepare and make sure you’re doing all you can to be at your best for your team, so that’s what I’ve been focusing on doing — whether that’s being a leader or making plays,” Akers told reporters in June. “Just doing what I can do to help this team. I don’t make it more than it is.”
Third-year pro Darrell Henderson, Xavier Jones, Raymond Calais and rookie Jake Funk are other running backs on the roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cassius Marsh grew up in the world of trading card games, a passion he’s turned into a second livelihood as a shop owner.
Henderson, a 2019 third-round draft pick, could step in for Akers, though Henderson’s first two NFL seasons ended because of ankle injuries. Last season, Henderson started 11 games and rushed for 624 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown pass.
The Rams begin training camp July 28 at UC Irvine in preparation for their Sept. 12 regular-season opener against the visiting Chicago Bears on “Sunday Night Football.”
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