Rams’ HC Sean McVay said RB Darrell Henderson Jr. is being placed on injured reserve due to an MCL injury.

Related players: Sony Michel, Cam Akers

With Henderson's season over, it would be assumed Michel takes over as the RB1 for at least Week 17. But the team said there is a good possibility Akers plays in Week 17 coming off an Achilles injury. One wouldn't think the Rams give Akers a ton of work this week, meaning Michel should be an RB1 play, coming off another huge game. We'll likely hear more about Akers' role as the week goes on. The Rams play at the Ravens in an early Sunday game in Week 17.

Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers has been designated to return from injured reserve.

The Rams best-case scenario was Cam Akers making a speedy recovery from his Achilles injury and returning in time for the playoffs. With the Rams opening up the 21-day window to activate him or send him to season-ending injured reserve, he must be progressing well. Akers would provide a massive boost to the Rams offense and would give them a true threat out of the backfield. He may not make it back in time for fantasy football's finals week, but this transaction suggests the playoffs are still a legitimate possibility.

Spoke with Sean McVay about how a previously-presumed impossibility has now become a source of cautious optimism: Getting RB Cam Akers back & active if the Rams can make a playoff run

Related players: Darrell Henderson, Sony Michel

The good news for Henderson owners is they won't have to worry about Akers in the regular season. It sounds like the Rams would have to get into the playoffs, which, certainly isn't out of question at this point. Running backs coming off Achilles injuries don't often find success again, but this looks like great news for Akers and is something to watch. He's progressing well from the injury, according to the rest of the story.

Xavier Jones (ankle) was waived/injured by the Rams on Tuesday, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

The Rams backfield has been beset by injuries this summer, with Cam Akers (Achills) and Raymond Calais (foot) already on IR and Jones set to join them.

Related players: Darrell Henderson, Sony Michel, Jake Funk

Assuming Jones clears waivers, he will have a chance to return at some point this season once his left ankle is healthy. For now, Los Angeles will rely on Henderson (thumb), Sony Michel and Jake Funk at running back.

Darrell Henderson Jr. is penciled in as the Rams’ starting running back after Cam Akers tore his Achilles before training camp. That much we know.

What isn’t as clear is who will back up Henderson.

The Rams have Xavier Jones, Jake Funk, Raymond Calais and Otis Anderson on the 90-man roster right now, but they’ve combined to play zero offensive snaps in their NFL careers. So needless to say, there isn’t much experience at running back behind Henderson.

The story said Jones is the favorite to back him up after sticking with the Rams last season as an undrafted rookie. He’s getting more work in camp this year due to Akers’ absence and though it’s early, Sean McVay is encouraged by what he’s seen from Jones, as well as the Rams’ other backup running backs.

#Rams RB Cam Akers suffered a torn Achilles while training, per source.

Brutal blow for L.A., which loses its leading rusher from last season a week before camp begins.

With Cam Akers out, the next man up is Darrell Henderson. Henderson served as the Rams’ lead back from Week 2 to Week 7, racking up 86 total yards (4.84 YPC) and 0.67 touchdowns on 15.5 touches per game. Those are low-end RB1 numbers, which is the sort of production that we can expect from Henderson now that he finds himself in the lead role once again. With Malcolm Brown moving on to Miami, the Rams' depth chart behind Henderson now consists of 2020 7th-rounder Raymond Calais, 2021 7th-rounder Jake Funk, undrafted second-year player Xavier Jones and undrafted rookie Otis Anderson. The Rams' RB2 role will be a camp battle to monitor. The team is now a candidate to bring another veteran in (Todd Gurley?).

Rams RB Cam Akers is questionable for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, according to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.

Darrell Henderson is on IR, so the Rams are hoping Akers can play any role in their must-win game in which they will be without Jared Goff and Cooper Kupp.

Darrell Henderson suffered a high ankle sprain and will be put on injured reserve. Henderson had 49 rushing yards, including a 38-yard touchdown run, against the Cardinals in the Rams’ 38-28 win in Week 13.

Cam Akers, who is also dealing with a high ankle sprain, did not play in Week 16 in the Rams’ 20-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. His status is a little more optimistic.

Related players: Malcolm Brown

The Rams say Akers has made progress and the team thinks there is a chance he can play in Week 17. Either way, Brown should see more action and could end up being the starter if both backs are out.

Rams RB Darrell Henderson is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain in yesterday’s loss, making it unlikely he plays Sunday, source said. He’s having tests today to determine the severity. But LAR will be short-handed heading into a huge game vs. the Cardinals.

Related players: Cam Akers, Malcolm Brown

Akers is also dealing with a high ankle sprain and likely won't play in Week 17 either. That leaves the RB duties to Brown against the Cards and should at least make for a good volume pickup in a decent matchup if he's on your waiver wire. The Rams could also be without QB Jared Goff, however.