Cam Akers was a surprise inactive on Sunday against the 49ers, getting scratched despite being healthy for Week 2. The Rams seem to prefer Kyren Williams, but this benching goes beyond on-field performance.
According to FOX Sports sideline reporter Laura Okmin, Akers isn’t adhering to the Rams’ culture. Les Snead told Okmin that other running backs beat out Akers, including Royce Freeman, who was promoted from the practice squad, but Akers isn’t doing what’s expected of him right now.
Buy Rams Tickets“Les Snead said other guys beat him out to be on the field today,” Okmin said. “But what I’ve heard all morning is it’s fair to connect the dots from last year’s issues to this year’s with Cam. With all these young guys, culture is a big focus right now. Akers, I was told, wasn’t adhering to that. Two main principles of this culture, I was told: Do what’s expected of you, and accountability.”
Akers and the Rams had a dispute last season that resulted in the running back missing two games while away from the team. He eventually returned and was initially a backup again, but once Darrell Henderson Jr. was cut, Akers took over as the starter and finished the season with three straight 100-yard performances.
Jay Glazer reported before the game that Akers could be on the trade block, so it once again seems his time with the Rams may be coming to an end.