The NFL trade deadline came and went without a move being made by the Los Angeles Rams. But, heading into the deadline, they were involved in plenty of rumors as they are looking to get things on track after getting off to a 3-4 start.
Los Angeles was linked to different pass rushers, wide receivers and running backs as they pinpointed the issues on their roster. There were also some rumors of players that the Rams would be willing to trade, one of which was running back Cam Akers.
Akers has not appeared in a game for the Rams since their Week 5 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. Akers has been inactive their last two games for what the team called personal reasons.
He didn’t seem to be on the same page with the coaching staff, as another visit to Sean McVay’s doghouse seemed to be occurring. He seemed to start the season there based on quotes McVay made after their season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills.
There were plenty of reports that Akers had played his final game with the Rams and he would be on the move one way or another, whether it was via trade or being released. Alas, the franchise must have had a change of heart at some point.
Not only did Akers remain with the team through the deadline, but the Rams were declining trade offers for him. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Los Angeles is working with Akers’ agent to try and bring him back into the fold for this season.
Akers is second on the Rams in rushing yards this season with 151, behind Darrell Henderson, who has 197. Neither player has been very efficient as the Rams have one of the least productive running games in the NFL.
On the season, Akers is averaging only 3.0 yards per carry. The offensive line woes have been a big reason for that, but he is also lacking the burst and explosiveness that he showed as a rookie, likely from the Achilles injury that he suffered during the 2021 offseason.
Desperate for any production out of their backfield, it isn’t a surprise that Los Angeles is open to bringing back Akers. He does have some talent, which is why he was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Florida State. But, McVay and his staff will have to find a way to better utilize him and hope that the running game can show some life to help take pressure off of Matthew Stafford, who has had his own struggles this season.
