THOUSAND OAKS, CA — On Thursday head coach Sean McVay announced that running back Cam Akers has been designated by the team to return from the non-football injury list. A remarkable accomplishment by Akers who returns just five months after suffering a torn Achilles.
“He has done such a great job. What a resilient, tough-minded guy,” McVay said of Akers. “I think it’s a credit to his work, Reggie [Scott] and the group that he’s worked with, Dr. ElAttrache, all doing a great job. It’s an incredible story. Can’t wait to get him back out there. When that is, (remains) something that we’re going to continue to work through, but the guy is a stud in every sense of the word.”
Though Akers has been cleared to return, he was able to practice for the first time on Friday with the team at SoFi Stadium. Though the team has 21 days to activate Akers back, McVay said they would move with caution through the return process. Whenever Akers does receive the all clear, he’ll return to a loaded back field that includes Darrell Henderson and Sony Michel.
During the 2020 season Akers finished with 625 total yards as the team’s leading rusher. A promising year in 2021 before he tore his right Achilles during a workout before the pre-season. He was ruled out for the season, however Akers continued to work extremely hard on his rehab and never quit on the season. A return of this magnitude hasn’t been seen since the year running back Adrian Peterson tore his ACL and returned in eight months.
“I always give him a hard time about some of those Russian gymnasts that were freaking making a comeback in about five months from the Achilles and performing in the Olympics,” McVay said. “He’s a freak, in a good way.”
With the return of Akers on the horizon, quarterback Matthew Stafford looks forward to having more depth on offense especially at running back position.
“It wasn’t a surprise just because I’ve seen him go to work since day one since this thing happened. And I kind of knew where his progress was. But am I surprise at the progress he’s made? Absolutely,” Stafford said. “It’s unbelievable.“
McVay said that Akers return brought a new energy to the team while they practiced at SoFi Stadium on Friday.
