It seemed, at first glance, that there was some clarity coming to the Los Angeles Rams’ running back situation as Week 1 approached.
Rookie Cam Akers would get a lot of work — head coach Sean McVay recently said the team is “going to ask a lot of him” — and hopefully the talented back would end up with the majority of carries by midseason. Malcolm Brown would be in the mix, and Darrell Henderson’s injury put him a distant third to open up the season.
That’s all changed.
Henderson might be available, Brown could actually start, and then there’s this quote from McVay. From the Los Angeles Daily News:
“If (Henderson is ready), that’s a three-back rotation that you feel really good about,” McVay said. “Exactly how those carries will be distributed is something we’ll determine really as the week progresses and as the game unfolds.”
Does he know which running back will be on the field for the first series?
“I do not yet,” McVay said before having fun with the question. “We might go with five wides and no backs, or we might go with all three backs on the field and then two other skill guys. You never know.”
Now, look. Some of that is coach-speak, an attempt to mask the game plan going into Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys.
But for fantasy football owners, that’s not great at all.
The answer here is that you probably have to bench Akers if you can and start someone with more of a role — if he’s your Flex, find another back or receiver to replace him. Then, wait and see who emerges from the trio after Week 1. I still think Akers has the talent to win this battle and take over.
Cam Akers is going to ball out whether you're ready or not. pic.twitter.com/AXLWDikzZA
— Dalton Kates (@DaltonGuruFF) September 3, 2020
But for now, it’s a mess you should stay away from until there’s clarity.
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