Cam Akers will return against San Francisco 49ers, according to Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Less than six months removed from suffering a torn right Achilles tendon, Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers is set to make his season debut on Sunday, coach Sean McVay said.
"He's excited," McVay said Wednesday. "He'll be ready to go."
The Rams (12-4) will close out the regular season by hosting the division rival San Francisco 49ers (9-7) at SoFi Stadium.
If the Rams win, they will clinch a third division title in five seasons under McVay. Otherwise, to win the NFC West, they will need the Seattle Seahawks (6-10) to defeat the Arizona Cardinals (11-5) at State Farm Stadium.
The 49ers' simplest path to a playoff berth is a win over the Rams, whom they've defeated five straight times.
The Rams on Wednesday held a jog through, except for Akers, whom McVay said was practicing at full speed and "flying around."
McVay said that Akers' workload against the 49ers remains undetermined.
"We're working through that," McVay said. "He sure looks good. He looks like he could carry -- play a lot of plays, but I do think you want to be smart with an incremental approach. Is that 10 snaps? Is that 20? Is that 25? I think that's something that as the week progresses, we'll have a better feel for, but definitely want to get him involved."
McVay added that the only scenario Akers would not play against the 49ers would involve him suffering any setback.
The Rams' run game has recently taken off behind former first-round pick Sony Michel, who moved into a starting role when Darrell Henderson Jr. suffered a quadriceps injury and then was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Michel has started five straight games, coinciding with the Rams' give-game win streak, and has taken over as the team's leading rusher with 802 yards and four touchdowns, which includes two 100-plus rushing yard performances in December.
Henderson was placed on injured reserve after Week 16 because of an MCL sprain in his right knee, so the depth Akers could provide going into the playoffs is much needed.
As a rookie last season, Akers rushed for a team-high 625 yards and two touchdowns on 145 carries and added 221 rushing yards in two playoff games.
Akers suffered what was anticipated to be a season-ending Achilles tendon tear in the days leading up to training camp during a private workout.
The Rams designated him to return from the non-football injury list ahead of a Week 16 matchup in Minnesota so that he could receive pension credit, but he was inactive in the victory over the Vikings. He also was inactive last Sunday in a Week 17 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
