Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers is dealing with a shoulder injury entering Super Bowl 56. He has played a big role for LA in the postseason and contributed to their success in those games. Will Akers suit up for the Rams against the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl, and what can fantasy football managers expect from him in this game?
Cam Akers’ 2021 production
Akers missed the majority of the season with a torn Achilles. Through only four games, he’s recorded 154 yards without finding the end zone on 59 carries. Akers also added 8 receptions for 72 yards on 9 targets in those games.
He has produced mixed results in his four games. Akers only saw 8 touches for 13 yards against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18.
He took on a significantly larger role early in the playoffs. Akers totaled 163 yards on 45 touches against the Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was the clear focal point of the offense in those games. However, against the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, Akers saw his role reduced, recording only 50 yards on 14 touches.
He’s averaging only 2.6 yards per carry this season, as he’s been ultra inefficient thus far. Furthermore, Akers lost 2 fumbles in limited snaps without finding the end zone thus far.
How would Akers’ absence affect the Rams?
The Rams offense would lean heavier on their other running backs if Akers couldn’t play this weekend. Sony Michel would likely take over the lead role, with a returning Darrell Henderson Jr. seeing more snaps as well.
I’d expect Michel and Henderson to split some work, with the former playing more on early downs and the latter seeing more of the passing work. Los Angeles could also take a hot-hand approach in this game. Both Michel and Henderson have proven that they can take on a workhorse role, giving the Rams plenty of options.
I’m not entirely sure LA won’t take this approach already, though. Akers hasn’t been efficient, and he could be on a short leash with a healthy backfield behind him.
Additionally, I don’t expect Akers’ status to change the Rams’ game plan. If they want to run in this game, I’d expect them to do that regardless of who gets the carries.
Will Akers play this week vs. the Bengals?
Akers is currently dealing with a shoulder injury. He played in each of Los Angeles’ four games since returning from what was expected to be a season-ending Achilles injury.
Akers started the week off with a limited practice on Wednesday. Since then, he’s been a full participant. He isn’t currently listed on LA’s injury report, suggesting he will play a full role in the Super Bowl.
Are fantasy points available vs. Cincinnati?
There are fantasy points available against the Bengals for Akers and Co. Cincinnati’s allowing 17.6 fantasy points per game to running backs, which is the ninth-most in the NFL. They have struggled against receiving backs, and Akers has plenty of receiving upside.
This is a tough situation to predict, as the Rams could use any of their three RBs. Akers has the most upside of the group, although Michel may be the best option to score. I don’t trust Rams head coach Sean McVay to stick with one back, making all of them boom-or-bust options depending on the roles that they play.