What Cam Akers’ Achilles injury means for the LA Rams

As training camp is one week away, the Los Angeles Rams received the worst possible news in regards to one of their starters. Second-year running back Cam Akers, who was projected to have a huge role on offense, tore his Achillies while training yesterday per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Akers has been confirmed by the team to have suffered a torn Achilles.

The injury will likely require surgery and will force the Rams starting back to miss the entire 2021 season. Of course, no exact details about the injury are yet available, and in terms of injury to an Achilles Tendon, the devil is in the details. In terms of the best-case scenario, tears in the higher part of the Achilles Tendon, close to the calf muscles, are much better.

An ample blood supply is crucial to fully heal, and that area is rich with blood. The lower any tendon damage occurs, the less likely the injury site will heal quickly, with or without surgery. Recovery from this type of injury can be very complex. Of course, the most immediate concerns are repairing the injury site and getting everything healed. But a longer process is actually testing the ankle once healed, and being able to trust it once more. That takes longer and can possibly end NFL careers if not also addressed as part of the recovery process.

Los Angeles Rams

Akers, who is coming off a very impressive rookie season, caught the eye of head coach Sean McVay early on in the 2020 season. He finished with 625 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in 13 games. This injury puts the Rams in a bit of a pickle in terms of their running back situation.

Who will replace Cam Akers? Third-year back Darnell Henderson seems to now be in the driver seat to be the starter, but the team’s history with Henderson indicates that he is more of a niche rusher, and is not durable enough to assume the three-down rusher role.

The team really likes undrafted free agent Xavier Jones as well. But this is the Los Angeles Rams, they are never shy to make a trade no matter what the cost. I expect the Rams to fully explore a trade for a starter and even look at the free-agent market.

If the Rams seek a veteran, they could parlay a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars RB James Robinson, New England Patriots RB Sony Michel, Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Ronald Jones, and even Indianapolis Colts RB Marlon Mack. Of course, this is speculation, and there are no indications that the team has explored any trade talks.

All of those running backs are young and are on rookie contracts which won’t cost the team a lot of money. And all of which will be free agents at the end of the 2021 season. The Rams also could dive into the free-agent pool at some point.

The Rams may be tempted to kick the tires on free agent back Todd Gurley, who spent five seasons with the Rams (2015-2019) and rushed for 5,404 yards and scored 58 touchdowns during that span. Gurley knows the offense and a reunion may not be that far-fetched based on current circumstances. Of course, fences will need to be mended before either side will enter into any negotiations.