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July 20, 2021

Torn Achilles for Akers

Henderson gets 2nd chance at featured role

In the offseason, the Rams mortgaged their future to upgrade at quarterback, sending off two 1sts and a 3rd to dump Jared Goff's contract. They'll need Matthew Stafford to shoulder even more of the offensive burden, because they won't be as good at running back. Cam Akers tore his Achilles yesterday and is out for the season.

It's a devastating loss for the Rams, obviously, with Akers having really emerged as a star down the stretch last year (and into the playoffs). He went for 131 and a touchdown when the team upset Seattle, and was a bright spot (90 yards and a score) in the loss at Green Bay a week later. Sean McVay has been talking him up all offseason, and we were looking at him as a possible top-5 running back. That's gone now, and there aren't many (any?) big success stories of running backs returning from Achilles injuries.

Los Angeles has a bunch of unknowns on the depth chart fighting for roster spots (Xavier Jones, Jake Funk, Raymond Calais) and they could sign a veteran -- Todd Gurley's still out there, and we talked about Adrian Peterson here a couple of days ago. LeVeon Bell would be an interesting possibility, though he’s had an ice-cold market. But the favorite to be the team's lead back this year is Darrell Henderson. So let's take a look.

Henderson was a third-round pick (70th overall) in 2019. He flashed with a couple of good runs that preseason, looking like he'd quickly be a viable No. 2 and perhaps heir apparent to Gurley. A late first-round type of pick in rookie drafts that year.

But he had a hard time getting on the field that season, stuck behind Gurley and also playing behind Malcolm Brown. He didn't show the explosiveness he showed in the preseason, averaging just 3.8 yards per attempt (similar to both Brown and Gurley, with a poor line also a factor). Henderson is short (5-8, 208), which maybe contributed to them not trusting him in pass protection. And the following April, the team drafted Akers in the 2nd round, and he took over the backfield by midseason.

While Henderson was surpassed by Akers in 2020, he had a credible season -- better than as a rookie. He averaged 4.5 yards per attempt (better than Akers, at 4.3, and the since departed Brown, 4.1), and 52 total yards per game (42 run, 10 rec), with 6 TDs. Looked like a viable No. 2 to select in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts in to possibly be a quality starter if injuries struck. Injury has struck.

As it turns out we've got a good six games to work with from last year of Henderson without Akers around. Three games he missed entirely due to injury, one he was knocked out of, and two where he was active but didn't touch the ball. Here's Henderson in those games.

HENDERSON W/O AKERS, 2020
OppAttYdsY/ATgtRecYdsTD
at Phi.12816.832401
at Buf.201145.73161
NYG8212.611160
at S.F.14886.30040
Chi.15634.222130
at Sea.12625.20000

So Henderson rushed for 60-plus yards in all but one of those contests, and was over 5.0 yards per attempt in four of six. Caught 6 of the 9 passes thrown his way.

Bell, Gurley, Peterson, Duke Johnson, and any other veteran running back you want to think of is available for a reason. The Rams aren't trading for anyone notable either. Henderson should be their guy. I think he did pretty well in this offense a year ago, and should do well in 2021 for as long as he stays healthy.

Quick look at the PPR rankings in the magazine, I think Henderson slots in somewhere around 16-17 -- after Antonio Gibson, but with more upside than the next few backs. Similar to Clyde Edwards-Helaire. I don't know if some will like him even more than that (let's see who the Rams sign as their No. 2), but I could see him being available around there.

--Andy Richardson

49 Reader Comments:

David Kennedy

Steamburg, NY
2021-07-20T17:38:50Z
Luckily I backed up Akers with Henderson in the few spots I have him. I wonder if Leveon Bell would fit this offense?

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-07-20T17:56:25Z
I edited it to add in Bell, who I intended to mention. More intriguing than Gurley/Peterson, certainly, and more of a threat to Henderson’s starting job. We’ll find out if there’s an interest quickly I imagine.

John Evans

Jacksonville, FL
2021-07-20T17:59:30Z
I traded for Henderson for next to nothing two days ago to handcuff Akers. May have save the season. Sucks for dynasty outlook for Akers though.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-07-20T18:03:34Z
Akers was my top pick (1.12) in the best-ball draft I posted back in June. Only best-ball I've done this year.

Fortunately I selected Henderson at 11.12, but obviously the overall situation is less than ideal.

Michael Murillo

Brandon, FL
2021-07-20T18:16:07Z
I think final cuts will add some clarity as well. There might not be a Fournette out there, but maybe someone decent to pair up with Henderson?

Ian Allan

Seattle, WA
2021-07-20T18:24:29Z
Disappointing to see this news. Henderson was the key player on my draft board. I thought he was going to be this year's breakout back. With how they were going to use him, I was wondering if he'd outperform guys like Dalvin Cook, Alvin Kamara and Derrick Henry. Akers was a player I was expecting to be on the vast majority of my teams. When we were tossing around candidates to put on the cover of the 2021 edition of the magazine, Akers was the guy I voted for -- he was the guy I wanted to see on the cover.

Paul Owers

Boynton Beach, FL
2021-07-20T18:28:31Z
What a rotten break for Akers. And as Andy wrote, there's no guarantee that Akers can come back next year and pick up where he left off. I have my doubts that Henderson and/or a free agent can adequately replace Akers, leaving a fantasy void in the backfield for what is expected to be one of the NFC's best teams.

Drew Paterson

Ferndale, WA
2021-07-20T18:34:14Z
After drafting Akers and Henderson last year, and watching them closely (along with Malcolm Brown) as the season developed, it's hard to be excited about Henderson. He catches the ball well and has some wiggle, but he's a liability in pass protection and is too small to move the pile on inside runs. He'll have a role this season, but I suspect the Rams lead RB is going to be someone we don't know about yet or, maybe, one of those Free Agents that are being mentioned.

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2021-07-20T18:36:06Z
Yeah, this is pretty bad. ACL is one thing. Achilles... that's a career killer.

Dennis Salisbury

Cranston, RI
2021-07-20T18:39:30Z
Achilles too…yikes! Do we know of any RB’s that have recovered from this injury? Have Akers on 2 dynastys with Hendu as a handcuff…but ugh…I need a stiff drink on this news!

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2021-07-20T18:49:29Z
Most recent that comes to my mind prior to this was D'Onta Foreman. Somebody had him in for a look a year ago, but... just done. Tear the achilles, kiss the explosion goodbye. Tragic.

Bruce Sadler

Lakeland, FL
2021-07-20T19:10:05Z
If they do not sign someone or swing a trade .This just became RBCC hell .,
Feel bad about Akers hope he comes back from this .
Who Knows maybe there is a Arian Foster on there roster

JOHN DELGARDO

Bronxville, NY
2021-07-20T19:10:45Z
Akers will never be the same. This makes the future drafts change a little.
Henderson is not the fix.

Joseph Lacher

Picayune, MS
2021-07-20T19:12:17Z
Who was the guy that posted about 3 weeks ago that he thought Henderson was pretty good and couldn’t see why people were so high on Akers. You all laughed at him. I agreed with him except on his Jacksonville takes. He who laughs last…..

John Evans

Jacksonville, FL
2021-07-20T19:15:11Z
D’onte Foreman had zero work ethic. Going for Akers is that he’s really young (over a year younger than Najee Harris)...and he works hard.

Yaesha Newman

2021-07-20T19:16:43Z
I loved Ackers this year. Devastating to the Rams. They will make a move. Can't go with Henderson. There are outstanding backups in the NFL. I wish I followed contracts and the cap but Kareem Hunt, Gio Bernard, M Ingram, or young guys like Justice Hill or Mack. If guys like Bell or Gurley are unwanted they shouldnt do a desperate like night pick up. Theyll regret it.

Ben Hogevoll

Siletz, OR
2021-07-20T19:31:48Z
The guy that posted 3 weeks ago that thought Akers was over rated was very stupid then and is still stupid and for sure shouldn't laugh because Akers received the worse injury possible and may be done forever.

Yaesha Newman

2021-07-20T19:46:09Z
A lot of people who love Ackers really love the Rams this year. Real opportunity and they know it.

James Costello

Portland, ME
2021-07-20T20:00:01Z
Talent-wise LeVeon Bell makes sense. But with that ego and attitude he’s a cancer. It’s all about him and his paycheck. I wouldn’t go near him

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2021-07-20T20:02:15Z
Andy, do you see this affecting the Rams' passing game? If I'm a DC going against them, this is a game-changer.
If they don't add a difference maker (like maybe Kareem Hunt), I drop 7 and dare Henderson to beat me.
No rush to answer a question out of the blue like this.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-07-20T20:09:28Z
The good running backs who I can think of that struggled to come back from Achilles injuries didn’t lack for work ethic. I think of Green Bay’s Edgar Bennett and Tampa Bay’s Cadillac Williams - guys who had NFL success previously, so forget Foreman or whatnot. Bennett and Williams didn’t have the same burst and they also struggled with other leg injuries (maybe overcompensating during their recovery, etc.). Akers is a young guy and I wouldn’t say he can’t come back; I also don’t know enough about Achilles to know whether there are degrees of these things. All I know is I can’t think of a success story at the position (although there have probably been a few advances in treatment in the decades since the Bennett/Cadillac injuries).

Bill Rehor

Culver City, CA
2021-07-20T20:11:37Z
Not sure why you'd say that the Rams won't trade for anyone notable. Of all the teams in the league, this is the one that gives out draft picks like Halloween candy. I'd imagine conversations will at least be had about Melvin Gordon, Moestert, etc.

David Kennedy

Steamburg, NY
2021-07-20T20:33:29Z
Gordon is a good one to bring up.

Ian Allan

Seattle, WA
2021-07-20T21:08:40Z
I looked around some at Achilles injuries. Dominque Wilkins had an All-Star season the year after an Achilles injury, averaging almost 30 points per game. Kevin Durant came back from an Achilles to play at a high level. Kobe Bryant came back. On the NFL front, there have been some studies done, but their not in a fantasy-friendly format. They're not providing the run-down of names, and they're more interested in measuring simply whether a player played again. But I saw one that showed 7 running backs in (I think) the last 10 years having Achilles injuries; only 3 of them ever played again. I remember seeing Branden Oliver's Achilles snap loose from his heel in a preseason game at Minnesota. He was supposed to be moving into a big role for them that year, but he never played again. One of these medical studies pointed out that the return is toughest at the running back position. At QB, immobile guys like Dan Marino and Bernie Kosar (I think) did Achilles and came back to gimp around. With wide receivers in this recent study, there have been 10 in the (I think) last 10 years, and 4 ever played again. There are different Achilles injuries, of course -- some more serious than others. I haven't heard details on Akers.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-07-20T21:25:01Z
Bill it’s a fair point. I guess I was thinking this is already a draft-pick poor team, with no 1sts the next two years. But a guy like Melvin Gordon would make some sense — Denver might be happy with a mid-rounder to get his contract off the books, although I think he still is a significant player on that roster.

Paul, sure, it hurts the entire offense. But conversely, it requires more emphasis on the pass, so who’s to say the passing game won’t be more productive (like I hinted at the beginning). Obviously it’s a huge negative for the team, but potentially better numbers for Kupp-Woods-et al.

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2021-07-20T21:26:07Z
Going back to the '70s, I recall the Reds' Bobby Tolan tearing his achilles and coming back. But he wasn't the same base-stealer afterwards.
With RBs, I think it boils down to that split-second, quick-twitch reflex in the backfield or in the hole that's compromised, and the would-be tacklers that formerly would lunge and miss don't miss anymore.

Dennis Salisbury

Cranston, RI
2021-07-20T21:58:10Z
Duke Johnson looked over the hill last year and still available? I think All Day Peterson would be good for a year? Maybe the Patriots can trade Sony Michel to Rams? Rams have time…they do not have many draft picks though?

Cody Hager

Portland, OR
2021-07-20T21:59:02Z
Take this with a grain of salt since it's only one analysis I read through but it echoes what people are saying in this thread. It showed that RBs coming back from an Achilles tendon rupture had an overall decrease in production of approximately 80% in subsequent years post injury. Horrible injury for Akers. I'm pretty sure they'll split the workload with Henderson whether it's someone currently on the roster or they bring someone in.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-07-20T22:09:58Z
Dennis I don’t think any of those guys would be a better option for the Rams than Henderson. They can give Michel a look see maybe if/when New England cuts him.

Henderson A has talent and B has been playing in the offense the last two seasons. If he’s going to lose his job to someone else that player better have a huge advantage in the former area because he’s definitely a lesser option in the latter.

Drew Paterson

Ferndale, WA
2021-07-20T23:05:24Z
The Rams need someone like Michel or Peterson who can be a power back. Henderson is more of a 3rd down back, so a similar guy like Duke won't help.

Ian Allan

Seattle, WA
2021-07-20T23:15:52Z
Nice observation, Drew. All of the backs the Rams have right now are smaller guys. They need somebody bigger.

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2021-07-20T23:24:02Z
Say, I've got a swell idea. With Brad Holmes and Les Snead being such good buddies, pulling off deals like Goff for Stafford, how about this one - how's about Darrell Henderson for D'Andre Swift? Anthony Lynn gets to keep his "A back" Jamaal Williams in place as starter, and gets his 3rd-down back for less money. And Swift gets to escape the land of the crazed knee-biter in favor of playing for a head coach who knows what to do with a talented back. Oh, and not coincidentally gives owners a strong reason to keep him.

Joseph Lacher

Picayune, MS
2021-07-20T23:56:35Z
Get Malcolm Brown back from Miami for a 7th round pick. He’s on a 2 year contract for $3.5m.
But I like Henderson. He was serviceable last year. I had him in several leagues and watched him closely. He will be fine. Like Andy said, 16th-20th.

Ian Allan

Seattle, WA
2021-07-21T00:23:08Z
I remember seeing Darrell Henderson explode through some holes in their game at Buffalo and thinking he looked like Alvin Kamara. But doesn't seem like a durable enough guy to handle 20-plus carries in a lot of games, like Gurley used to do and like Akers did in a few games late last year. Henderson looks like more of a committee back. According to my notes, he had six games last year with at least 11 carries. He averaged 74 rushing and 16 receiving yards in those six games, with 4 TDs.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-07-21T01:05:52Z
I don’t think he’ll be a workhorse. Question is if they could realistically bring in someone to play more. At least McVay saw his offense function at times last year with Henderson as the lead runner. Somebody like Peterson or Michel might be better if they’re trying to kill the clock or punch it in from inside the 5 but it doesn’t make them a better fit for the offense. If they want a bigger back who knows the offense they could bring back Gurley (not that I think they will), but I’d still anticipate at least a 60-40 split in favor of Henderson. I agree they’ll look for a bigger, between the tackles back, but none of those players discussed look like leading role guys at this point.

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2021-07-21T01:20:43Z
The Rams pretty much HAVE to add another starting caliber back. They've just lost their presumptive number one. Common sense tells you that a back Henderson's size is not going to hold up if forced into a starting role.
What's more, surely the Rams' staff and front office know not to depend on Akers returning to form next year, if ever. They can't sit still, they've got to move forward. Snead learned the hard way not to press too hard against the cap (resulting in the cap purge last year). But he knows he needs a new number one. And it's not Henderson. If it were me, I'd start sniffing around Kareem Hunt and see what the Browns would want for him.

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2021-07-21T01:24:53Z
I'm aware that hunt did not look special when filling in for Chubb last year. But I think that Hunt was likely told not to press the issue, and just to take what was there and fight another day, so as not to lose both their number one and number two backs.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-07-21T02:16:53Z
I think you underestimate the value of starting caliber backs. Don’t the Browns want to have two in case one gets hurt? You don’t see a lot of these guys get traded in July and August because teams that have one either only have one or know their other one is a play from getting hurt, and getting a 2022 pick for a player you might really need in October or November if you’re a contender (like the Browns) isn’t worth it.

More likely: the Rams sign some bigger, marginal veteran like Peterson or some other team’s cut, make him the No. 2 to Henderson, and if it isn’t working out a month or six weeks into the season they swing a trade with some other team that realizes they’re not going anywhere and may as well ship off their veteran starting caliber back for a future pick or two.

DAVID BRAGG

Mukilteo, WA
2021-07-21T03:07:43Z
Hmmm... How much draft capital would James Robinson cost? [I don't expect it to happen, or any other moves until after training camp starts.]

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2021-07-21T03:25:09Z
Oh, I think the Rams would have to pay through the nose for a guy who they could build around, I understand that.
But realistically, they've lost not only this year's starter, they've lost their future starter as well. I'm just saying that I'd be as proactive as possible in trying to hammer out something mutually beneficial. If it couldn't be done, it wouldn't be for a lack of effort.
But I realize I'm just a GM in a fantasy football world, and we're talking to differing sets of realities.

Yaesha Newman

2021-07-21T04:20:48Z
I think mark ingram is a good choice,

Philip Haines

Burien, WA
2021-07-21T06:12:21Z
Assuming Akers can’t recover his old form, their next franchise back will certainly come through the draft. Trades involving players of that caliber still in their prime are rare indeed. As you all are saying, they’ll try to acquire a reasonably priced bigger, power back as a stopgap for this season. And since Stafford isn’t likely to call his own number near the goal line, that player could end up being their primary goal line back, offering some value in TD only leagues like ours.

John Anderson

Metairie, LA
2021-07-21T11:17:37Z
Vaughn from Tampa Bay to LAR? Gore? Dillon from GB to LAR? AP? Either Free Agency or a trade. They will need a body, just depends on what they think of RBs now will determine the price to pay... Swift and Henderson, one could only dream...

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-07-21T11:48:15Z
Adding a bigger back who's different than Henderson makes sense. Adding another team's third-down type doesn't. (D'Andre Swift is also a very similar player.) And sure it'd be great to bring in Gus Edwards or AJ Dillon, but those guys are significant, valuable backs to the contending teams that are currently using them as their No. 2. Agree with Phillip: if they doubt Akers can come back long-term they'll be looking for a franchise back in next year's draft, not acquiring one now.

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2021-07-21T17:49:26Z
Granted, Swift is virtually the same size as Henderson. Reminds me of a goal line play last year where Swift tried to go over the top and was comically rejected.

Joseph Lacher

Picayune, MS
2021-07-21T22:05:05Z
From the web: Henderson had his moments last year. Per PFF he was the highest-graded running back through Week 8 (90.2).

He will be fine. Rams won’t trade for someone. They will just get a free agent as a backup.

David Grace

Tarzana, CA
2021-07-22T05:02:14Z
The "he's not big enough to be an every down back" thing always amuses me. Austin Ekeler is 5'8" 200lbs and he's being drafted as a top 10 RB in most formats. Swift is basically the same size (1" taller and 3lbs heavier) and he's being drafted around RB 15. All time greats Barry Sanders and Chris Johnson were smaller than Henderson. As Joseph noted, Henderson was PFF's highest graded runner through week 8. He's a good running back, almost certainly better than anyone available right now. The Rams are also pretty high on Xavier Jones, who had a nose for the endzone at SMU, so I don't think they are even feeling desperate for veteran depth. Will the Rams watch the waiver wire when cut downs roll around? Sure. But I seriously doubt they will look at one of these washed up old RBs who are available for a reason and think "we need to get this guy."

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-07-22T14:08:56Z
I agree that smaller backs can be successful No. 1s. The reality though is that some coaches do not give them the chance, which is a situation that could play out with Swift and perhaps Henderson this year. It doesn't matter if I think they can do it; it matters if Lynn or McVay does. Teams talking up young UDFAs who only played special teams as a rookie (Jones) or 7th-round picks (Funk) can be taken with a grain of salt. But like I said, I think they'll at least take a look at everyone in August before feeling pressure to add a veteran into the mix.

David Grace

Tarzana, CA
2021-07-22T18:25:08Z
I don't think the Rams issue with Henderson was his size (they drafted him after all), it was his failure to quickly adjust to their zone scheme since he was mostly a gap runner in college. I'm no expert, but he looked uncertain as a rookie. Last year the light seems to have gone on, and he did a much better job of setting up creases and playing within the scheme. Of course by that point the Rams had already invested a 2nd in Akers. What they do may really come down to something as simple as how Xavier Jones looks in pass protection. They can't be an injury to Henderson away from having a pass protection problem that endangers Stafford. I'd wager that pass protection skills will be prioritized if they do pick up a veteran. I could see someone like Royce Freeman ending up on the Rams. He's on the roster bubble in Denver, he's cheap, and he can pass protect. I think that's the profile they will be looking for if they add a runner.
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