Though the Minnesota Vikings agreed to a trade with the Los Angeles Rams for running back Cam Akers, team personnel insisted Thursday that they were still standing by starter Alexander Mattison. Instead of a replacement, the Vikings reportedly intend to use Akers as a complement to Mattison, giving both struggling runners a shared workload.

“But we haven’t lost confidence in Alex Mattison,” Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips told reporters Thursday. “I will say that. Unfortunately we’ve had a couple turnovers in the run game where we obviously need to clean that up. Everyone’s aware of that. But we still feel very strongly in Alex and [backup Ty Chandler] and those guys being able to go in and produce. We know we have to be better in the run game. A lot of that starts with us, and the players fundamentally. All those things we’ve addressed, and from what I saw [Wednesday] in the first practice, I think it will improve dramatically.”

In two games this season, Mattison has struggled to handle the workload of a bell-cow running back, rushing for 62 yards across two games. Akers has struggled even more, so much so that the Rams kept him off the field in Week 2 in favor of backup Kyren Williams. But the combination of the two backs in Minnesota is intended to give the two snaps that will benefit their strengths.

“That’s not a bad move at all,” Mattison said about the move for Akers. “In any situation, you want to make your team better. With the opportunity to do so, we definitely welcome whatever decision they might make up top. I’m excited to have an addition to the running back room. I think he can definitely add value.”

Phillips, the offensive coordinator, also went on to echo Mattison’s comments that Akers would be a welcome presence in the locker room. He noted that the running back’s skill set could be useful to a Vikings offense which has disappeared at times in two losses to begin the season.

“He’s a downhill runner, a physical back, and he’s got good quickness,” Phillips said. “He’s proven he can catch the ball … we’re just excited to have him in here.”

The Los Angeles Rams traded running back Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings Wednesday for a swap of sixth-round draft picks in 2026. Akers began the season with the starting job for Los Angeles but was a healthy scratch in Week 2 as the team quickly turned to backup Kyren Williams.

After ruling Akers inactive ahead of Week 2, head coach Sean McVay said earlier in the week that the team was looking for interested trade partners for the former second-round pick out of Florida State. The Vikings, struggling with their own underperforming run game, agreed to terms quickly.

“I think he did a lot of really good things and I think Cam is a quality player,” McVay told reporters Monday. “I think sometimes it boils down to, alright, is it a fit? What are some of the best opportunities based on putting together what you think is the best way to circumvent or be able to organize your team? And so this isn’t an indictment on any individual.”

Akers’ fate may have been sealed after Williams’ performance Sunday against the 49ers, as the 2022 fifth-round pick ran for 54 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and caught six passes out of the backfield for another 48 yards and a second touchdown. He has now scored four times in two games, despite splitting work in Week 1. In that game against the Seahawks, Akers found the end zone but only ran for 29 yards on 22 carries.

Though the Rams seem to have found their new starting running back, the Vikings are far from certain after a disappointing early start from Alexander Mattison. The longtime backup and replacement for Dalvin Cook, has not yet capitalized on his first opportunity to lead Minnesota’s backfield, rushing for 62 yards across two games. Akers will likely come in to share part of the workload and at least contend with Mattison, who has had very little competition for snaps since the season started.

“I really care a lot about Cam and I’m appreciative of some of the challenging things that we’ve gone through and where we ended up getting to in terms of our relationship and our ability to communicate clearly, which is why it’s kind of tough for me to hear that there is confusion but I know that I’ll wish him nothing but the best,” McVay went on to say Monday. “I think he’s got a lot of ability and that’s really all I want to be able to add on that, but I am grateful for the many contributions that he made over the course of his career as a Ram.”

Following an absolutely brutal hit in the final game of the NFL’s Super Wild Card weekend, Cardinals safety Budda Baker was placed on a stretcher and carted off the field.

He’s said to have feeling in all extremities but did suffer a concussion after the hard collision with recently returned Rams running back Cam Akers. He was alert and communicating en route to the hospital.

The hit came in the third quarter of Monday night’s game, as Baker rushed in at the end of an 11-yard run by Akers to try and make a tackle.

The defensive back’s head connected with the running back’s shoulder, and Baker wasn’t moving immediately after the collision.

He rolled onto his back but was able to move his arms as he was carted off the field.

“Had feeling in everything, so he’s at the hospital being examined now, but seems to be positive news that I’ve got so far,” Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said.

As Baker was treated by medical personnel, both teams took a knee and looked shaken up.

He was second-team All-Pro this year and was voted to his fourth Pro Bowl. He appeared in all 17 games and recorded three interceptions, 98 tackles, and seven passes defensed.

The Los Angeles Rams are already in the playoffs but will be looking to clinch the NFC West title for the third time in five years with a win against the San Francisco 49ers at home in Week 18. To do so they’ll have an old friend returning in the backfield: running back Cam Akers is expected to play on Sunday for the first time since tearing his Achilles in July.

“I think you let him go. You know, he did a great job these last couple weeks,” head coach Sean McVay said, though he wouldn’t divulge his workload. “To say that he’s not ready, I don’t know that it’d be accurate. I think that he’s ready.

“I think he probably would’ve been ready to go last week. But we’re operating with the expectation and anticipation that Cam Akers is going to make his Rams debut in the [2021] season after Achilles surgery this week. I think he’s got a chance to be able to contribute. And this is a pretty cool story.”

The type of injury Akers suffered usually takes more time to heal, which isn’t surprising as McVay noted that Akers is a “special player” who should give the team a boost.

“Most importantly, it’s because he’s earned the right to come out and help us as a team,” said McVay. “What a great reflection of his mental toughness. The way he attacked the rehab … Cam deserves a lot of credit.”

Prior to the injury, Akers was set to be L.A.’s lead back in his second year in the NFL. As a rookie, he totaled 748 yards from scrimmage and three total touchdowns in 13 games played.

Cam Akers, a critical part of the run game for the Rams, will miss the entirety of the 2021 season after tearing his Achilles. Akers suffered the injury during a workout; he underwent testing to confirm suspicions of the tear.

The Rams publicly announced his injury but did not provide information on a timetable for his return.

Akers was a critical cog in the backfield for the Rams during his rookie campaign. The budding superstar averaged 113.1 yards from scrimmage per game in the final seven games of the year. In the postseason, Akers recorded two touchdowns and a total of 272 yards from scrimmage.

Head Coach Sean McVay said that Los Angeles will attempt to replace Akers through those already on the roster before turning to the free-agent market. “We’ve got some young backs on our roster that I’m intrigued about seeing how they handle this opportunity. I don’t know that the veteran route is something that we’d rule out, but it’s not something we’re immediately looking to address right now,” said McVay.

Possible signings, should the Rams turn to veteran runningbacks, include Adrian Peterson, Le’Veon Bell, LeSean McCoy, Devonta Freeman, Duke Johnson and former Rams running back and fan-favorite Todd Gurley.

Akers sent out a tweet discussing his injury and his motivation to come back stronger than ever.

This is a big blow to a team that looked like they could make a Super Bowl run, especially after acquiring Matthew Stafford earlier in the offseason from the Detroit Lions. The Rams cannot be counted out by any means, however, their path to the Super Bowl just got a lot more difficult with the loss of their three-down running back.

Last season, the Los Angeles Rams surprised many by making it to the divisional round of the playoffs. Quarterback Jared Goff led the team to a Wild Card playoff win, but the team fell to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round. Despite the disappointing end of the season, it was still a successful one for the team. Unfortunately, due to inconsistent performances by Goff, the Rams traded him to the Detroit Lions for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Los Angeles sent Goff, a 2021 third-round pick, a 2022 and 2023 first-round pick to the Lions for Stafford.

Not only that, but the team will be under a new coaching staff. The Rams lost key staff members in the offseason to other teams. However, they still have head coach Sean McVay. So, the team will hope that the new staff under McVay and Stafford will lead the team to another playoff berth.

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Los Angeles Rams Schedule:

• Week 1: Sun 09/12 vs Chicago Bears
• Week 2: Sun 09/19 at Indianapolis Colts
• Week 3: Sun 09/26 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Week 4: Sun 10/03 vs Arizona Cardinals
• Week 5: Thu 10/07 at Seattle Seahawks 
• Week 6: Sun 10/17 at New York Giants
• Week 7: Sun 10/24 vs Detroit Lions
• Week 8: Sun 10/31 at Houston Texans
• Week 9: Sun 11/07 vs Tennessee Titans
• Week 10: Mon 11/15 at San Francisco 49ers 
• Week 11: BYE
• Week 12: Sun 11/28 at Green Bay Packers 
• Week 13:Sun 12/05 vs Jacksonville Jaguars
• Week 14: Mon 12/13 at Arizona Cardinals
• Week 15: Sun 12/19 vs Seattle Seahawks 
• Week 16: Sun 12/26 at Minnesota Vikings
• Week 17: Sun 1/02 at Baltimore Ravens
• Week 18: Sun 01/09 vs San Francsico 49ers

NFC West: The Rams are going to compete with the Seahawks for the division title. Last season, Seattle remained atop the division standings, but the Rams finished just behind them and clinched a Wild Card berth. The Rams have a chance to win the division since they are the second-best team in the division. However, it won’t be easy. The Cardinals and 49ers are both improving. This is going to be a very competitive battle for the division title.

Matchups: The Rams begin their season with a tough five-game stretch. From Week 6 to Week 10, they have much easier matchups (outside of their Week 9 contest against the Titans). Following their Week 11 bye, the Rams face a mixed bag of strong and weak teams. Some of the Rams’ key matchups will be against the Seahawks, Colts, Packers, Ravens and Bucs.

Overall: The Rams brought in an upgrade at the quarterback position with Stafford, and second-year running back Cam Akers should improve significantly after a year of experience under his belt. With a solid tandem at the wide receiver position in Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, the Rams’ offense should be much improved in 2021.

Prediction: The Rams will finish with a 10-7 record.

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Thursday Night Football saw the Los Angeles Rams face the visiting New England Patriots. It was an important match for the Rams as they needed the win to become first in the NFC West division.

The Rams were able to blowout the Patriots by a score of 24-3. One of the major catalysts to the Rams offense was rookie running back Cam Akers. The 21-year-old running back had a career performance with a career-high of 171 rushing yards. Those 171 yards were achieved in just 29 carries with an average of nearly six yards per carry. That performance became the most for an NFL rookie this season.

By the end of the first quarter, Akers had recorded 70 yards off six carries. In the second quarter, he added an additional 19 yards to his total. Akers’ performance has been steadily improving and increasing with each passing week. Last week, against the Arizona Cardinals, he rushed for 72 yards and a nine-yard touchdown. Two weeks ago, he rushed for 84 yards and a one-yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers.

Coach Sean McVay was not surprised by how good he is developing so far. “This really started with the way that he’s been practicing,” McVay said. “He’s a creative runner, he can put his shoulder down, he can finish and he’s got the explosive speed. You can just see that this guy is going to be a very special player and this was a great night for him.”

Rams’ quarterback Jared Goff praised the young running back. “I thought tonight, it was on full display for everyone to see what he could do,” Goff said. “He’s a special talent, special player, humble kid, does a great job, works hard, and deserves all this.”