LA Rams running backs may include Cam Akers this Sunday

The LA Rams running backs Xavier Jones and Raymond Calais were all dressed and practicing. But don’t rule out rookie Cam Akers just yet

The LA Rams certainly could use some good news for the offensive side of the ball for this Sunday’s showdown game against their division rival, the Arizona Cardinals. After all, this week alone has yielded such news as starting QB Jared Goff recovering from thumb surgery in his throwing hand, RB Darrell Henderson going on IR due to a high-sprain in his ankle, placing WR Cooper Kupp on the reserve COVID-19 list yesterday, and added DL Michael Brockers to the COVID-19 list on Thursday, December 31. That’s a fitting end to the entire 2020 experience, don’t you think?

So here comes 2021, and we’ll do our best, events and facts willing, to make it the best ever. So what good news do we see for 2021 from the edge of 2020?  Well, the LA Rams are giving their two seldom seen running backs plenty of work with the offense.  They are Xavier Jones and Raymond Calais, and they each have plenty of reason for optimism.

So let’s give you some reasons to believe in these Rams again, shall we?

What do Jones and Calais bring?

The LA Rams will find similarities between the rushing of Xavier Jones and rookie running back Cam Akers. Jones is a solid 5-foot-11 and 208 pounds. His running style is best described as evasive and agile, but when he finds daylight he can kick it into high gear and burst. It’s that quick speed that helped him to lead the NCAAF in scoring in 2019.

Meanwhile, Calais is a smaller 5-foot-8 188-pound speedster, similar to that of Darrell Henderson. Not built to pound the ball out between the tackles, his forte’ is attacking the perimeter and in the passing game. Combined with the blocking and power running of veteran Malcolm  Brown, the Rams will have plenty of talent in their backfield to move the chains via a ground game.

What of Akers?

Still, all eyes remain focused upon any news about the status of rookie sensation Cam Akers. So we’ll let the LA Rams share their thoughts.

That’s not much, but here is more information per the Associated Press correspondent Greg Beacham:

The fact that Akers is working out on the sidelines is extremely positive news. He had suffered an ankle sprain during the Rams loss to the New York Jets but did not go on injured reserve. The hope is that he can recover enough to play this Sunday.  While he did not participate in practice, he did work out, which means that the Rams and Akers are working hard to get him back into the lineup for Sunday’s game.

Akers would be a huge boost to this Rams offense. Even if he is not 100 percent, he would certainly make the Arizona Cardinals think running play if he is on the field, which should open the Rams receivers up enough for Wolford to make some early completions. The Rams need a win, and so far are 0-2 in this situation. Getting Akers would be a nice start for a victory. After all, he left the Jets game early, and the Rams have not known victory since.