Akers must show ‘urgency’ and ‘maximize his opportunities when he gets them’, according to McVay

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay publicly challenged running back Cam Akers on Friday, following his team’s defeat to Buffalo in the NFL regular season opener. 

Fans slammed Akers’ opening night performance – or lack thereof – in the game, after the Rams projected starting running back only played 23 snaps in total, running for zero yards in the process.

‘No matter who you’re talking about, you want to see guys do the little things the right way, compete with and without the ball,’ McVay said. 

‘There were some instances where there were some positive things and some things that he can do better, but we want to see just an increased level of urgency and accountability snap in and snap out from him.’

Sean McVay intensely stares at his team as they prepare to kick off the NFL regular season

 ‘I know what Cam is capable of. We’ve all seen how talented and what a special player this guy’s capable of being. And I want to see him reach his highest potential.’

To make matters worse Akers only carried the ball three times in those eleven snaps.

Darrell Henderson who was expected to be Akers’ backup, on the other hand, was on the field for 54 snaps, and totaled 47 yards on 13 carries. Henderson also caught five passes for 26 yards.

Darrell Henderson was on the field for 82% of the Rams offensive snaps against Buffalo 

Henderson ran for 47 yards on 13 carries and had five receptions for 26 yard, in 54 snaps

‘We’ve all seen how talented and what a special player this guy’s capable of being,’ McVay said. ‘And I want to see him reach his highest potential. And that’s really all there is to it. It’s not about anything other than when he and Darrell [Henderson] are playing at a high level, I feel really good about those two guys at running back for us.

 ‘And the opportunities were minimal. There were some things that within each of those individual plays that I think that we can be better collectively, starting with me, then to the players around him, but also with Cam. 

‘And so it’s more of a reflection of the confidence that I know what he can be and I’m confident that he’ll be that guy that we’ve all seen at the right moments as this season continues to progress. And that’s our job to help get it out of him.’

It is also worth noting that Akers is only one year removed from suffering a torn Achilles. He was expected to miss the entire 2021 season but to the amazement of many was able to return in time for the playoffs. 

Akers runs through tackle from former Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead during playoffs

Akers did not fare well during the postseason run, rushing for 172 yards in four games and averaging just 2.6 yards per carry.

Given that it has been well documented by both current and former athletes that it takes well over a year to fully recover from a torn Achilles, it stands to be wondered if Akers was still being eased back into his role.

Either way, given how horrible the Rams offense looked Thursday night there stands a very good chance Akers will be more involved next week.