Sean McVay explains why Cam Akers only played one snap vs. 49ers

Sean McVay’s explanation for Cam Akers’ lack of involvement is frustrating.

During his postgame press conference after the Rams’ win over Washington last week, Sean McVay spoke highly of Cam Akers. After the rookie ripped off a 46-yard run and led the team in rushing with 61 yards on nine carries, McVay said, “I think you can expect his workload to increase next week against the 49ers.”

Well, on Sunday night, Akers’ workload did anything but increase. In fact, it all but evaporated completely. Akers finished the game with one single snap and not a single touch. The Rams got off 57 plays, which is below their average, but Akers was on the field for just one of those snaps.

Afterwards, McVay tried to explain the reason for that, once again chalking it up to the flow of the game and the lack of opportunities on offense – as he usually does.

“It was more the result of Cam not being able to get into the flow because we had such a minimal amount of drives in the first half,” McVay said. “We got him in there a little bit in the second half, but we ended up throwing it on a one-play sequence where it’s incomplete so then it’s second-and-10 and we ended up putting Malcolm in the game.”

For a player the Rams spent a second-round pick on and have talked up all year, it seems puzzling that Akers would only be deserving of one snap in an important game. It’s understood that there’s only one football and three running backs who want touches, but Akers has looked good in limited action and has at least earned a longer look.

Malcolm Brown, on the other hand, has done very little with his touches in recent weeks. He carried it twice for just 4 yards against the 49ers, and turned four targets into 18 yards (three receptions).

It seems reasonable to think Akers could’ve done at least that much on five touches, but the Rams trust Brown more and like to lean on Henderson in the running game. Henderson was playing well and was a lone bright spot on offense, but Akers should be more involved – especially after McVay said a week ago that he would be.