Rams GM envisions Akers contributing in playoffs after 'amazing' recovery

Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers is on the verge of completing one of the NFL's most impressive recoveries in recent memory.

The Rams activated Akers off injured reserve Saturday - just five months after he tore his Achilles in July. While he's not expected to contribute over L.A.'s final three regular-season games, general manager Les Snead is optimistic about the running back's chances of playing in the postseason.

"If you watched him do stuff with the performance staff (Thursday), you would think he could carry the ball 40 times on Sunday," Snead told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "The plan is to implement him back into practice settings and make sure he can make football moves, rather than just observing. And from there, it's how that Achilles recovers. We'll be smart about it."

Asked about Akers playing in the postseason, Snead said: "That's our vision. He's really day-to-day now. Based on everything he's done now and how he's looked, I would take that bet."

Dealing with an injury that typically sidelines players for an entire season, Akers has managed to slash his recovery time by a large margin. Snead praised the 22-year-old's remarkable work ethic during rehab.

"He just worked his ass off," Snead said. "He really worked, and he's got some genetic gifts. All of the sudden, he was a week ahead. Then four weeks ahead. Then a month ahead. All pretty amazing."

Akers, who rushed for 625 yards as a rookie in 2020, would add another dimension to a stout Rams backfield that already includes Darrell Henderson and Sony Michel.

L.A. is 10-4 but could take the NFC West lead with a victory Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.