LA Rams offensive future now overshadowed by Cam Akers

There is no shortage of drama where the LA Rams are concerned this year. With more injuries impacting the offensive line than offensive linemen on the original 53-man roster, the team has gotten quite the workout with troubleshooting and problem-solving so far. But as the saying goes, when it rains, it pours, and so it seems with the team’s ability to uncover more and more reasons for concerns.

We have shared our concerns over the play of LA Rams running back Cam Akers. Since his Achilles Tendon injury, more and more evidence suggests that Akers’ ability to plant his foot, pivot to another direction, and propel himself toward the open lane is extremely limited right now. That is natural and normal for a professional athlete who is returning from a devastating Achilles injury, as the player must retrain himself to trust that the ankle will hold without that sickening ‘pop’ that accompanies another injury.

Sinister sub-plot surfaces

But the LA Rams narrative has added another sinister sub-plot. This time, the LA Rams have excused RB Cam Akers from practices and will have him as inactive for the Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers.

With respect to the LA Rams, head coach Sean McVay, and running back Cam Akers, I won’t venture to speculate on the cause of the surprising news.  But here is where it leaves the Rams:

For Game 6, the LA Rams will suit up just RBs Darrell Henderson Jr. and Malcolm Brown. That is a key item, as Henderson has been plagued with injuries over the course of his career.  The team had already waived RB Jake Funk, who has subsequently signed on to the New Orleans Saints practice squad.

The LA Rams have a BYE week on Week 7. After that, the team will face their NFC West Division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, once more. Will the Rams have the matter with RB Cam Akers resolved in time to face the 49ers?

That is up to you to decide. Right now, we know that the LA Rams and Cam Akers are dealing with a serious matter in-house. What that means for the Rams this season is not clear, but with the offense already struggling near the bottom of the NFL, it certainly won’t help.