The Rams’ running back group is one of the deepest on the roster, boasting three potential starters with Cam Akers, Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson. That depth gives the Rams options in the backfield, and also flexibility if one player goes down with an injury.
Henderson has missed the last two weeks of practice with a hamstring strain, which has given Akers and Brown more work with the first-team offense. Henderson is working his way back from the injury, but he has yet to practice and his status for Week 1 remains up in the air.
Sean McVay said on Thursday that the team is optimistic he’ll be available, but Henderson is being closely monitored leading up to the season opener.
Darrell, we’re continuing to monitor. We’re optimistic, but, until he truly gets out there and is able to really open up and let it go full speed, be hard for me to say,” McVay said. “… With an actual strain of that hamstring, that’s something that you’ve got to closely monitor.”
Henderson wasn’t expected to be the No. 1 back to start the year anyway, but he figured to play a role as a change-of-pace guy with Akers and Brown handling the bulk of the carries. Reports out of camp from the brief time Henderson was practicing were encouraging, but this hamstring strain really set him back.
If he’s unable to go in Week 1, the Rams may have to keep Xavier Jones or John Kelly on the 53-man roster initially so they’re not relying on just two backs against Dallas.