Being a running back is a tough job. Being a Rams running back must be tougher.
The Rams are dealing with a number of key injuries as they start the defense of their Super Bowl 56 championship: Matthew Stafford is something of a mysterious elbow injury, Jalen Ramsey is working his way back from shoulder surgery and a pair of Rams running backs hit the shelf on Monday.
Both leads in the Rams’ running back tandem, Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson, are dealing with “soft tissue injuries” per Rams head coach Sean McVay. There’s no timetable for either guy’s return, but it doesn’t sound as though it’ll be too long before they return to the field.
“The first goal for those guys is let’s check the box on them feeling like they can really open up,” McVay said Monday. “No restrictions. I don’t know if you ever really feel great at any point moving forward, especially at running back, but we want to be smart with that.”
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While the running back room should be complete come the start of the regular season, it’s still something of concern: Both Akers and Henderson dealt with injuries in 2021, though that didn’t stop the Rams from making — and winning — Super Bowl 56.
Here’s what Los Angeles is dealing with as they work their way through preseason and around those injuries:
Rams RB depth chart
1. Cam Akers (Injured)
2021 stats: N/A (Injured)
Akers is currently dealing with an undisclosed “soft tissue injury” per Sean McVay, but is still expected to be the lead back come the start of the 2022 season.
Akers may be No. 1 on the chart, but he’ll split those carries evenly with Darrell Henderson when he’s healthy. Los Angeles features a play-action heavy offensive attack, and in the last two seasons, have gone to a very even split in a running back by committee deal.
Akers is entering Year 3 with the Rams after being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
2. Darrell Henderson (Injured)
2021 stats: 12 games, 149 rushes, 688 yards, five touchdowns, 176 receiving yards, three touchdowns.
Henderson had his own injury woes in 2021. He dealt with an MCL sprain and was placed on IR in Week 16, effectively ending his season. But, it didn’t actually end his season: Henderson returned just in time for Super Bowl 56, though he wasn’t much of a factor on the ground. He did grab a couple of passes for 43 yards.
On Aug. 15, McVay mentioned that Henderson also had a “soft tissue injury,” but the plan was to make sure that both he and Akers were ready for the regular season, making it seem like a bit of load management more than serious injury. Still, with his past injury woes, it’s worth monitoring.
3. Jake Funk
2021 stats: 10 games, two carries, five rushing yards.
Funk was active for 10 games in 2021, but rushed for a grand total of five yards across two carries.
The sophomore running back is entering his second year after being selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft, making him something of an unknown entering this season. Funk also had his injury woes, suffering a hamstring injury and hitting IR during the season.
4. Kyren Williams (Injured)
2021 stats: N/A (Rookie)
The rookie runner out of Notre Dame might actually have an opportunity for some carries to slide up the depth chart over the course of the preseason. Only Jake Funk sits in front of him at the moment, with the team taking their time with both Henderson and Akers.
There is a small issue, though: Williams broke his foot during OTAs, and Sean McVay is unsure as to whether or not he’ll be play during the preseason as he continues to work his way back from the injury.
But, with the injuries to both Henderson and Akers, it sounds like Williams will get his opportunity.
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