There’s no doubt about who the Rams’ starting running back will be this season in place of the injured Cam Akers. Darrell Henderson Jr. is not only the best runner left in L.A., but he’s the only one who has experience as a starter in the NFL.
Sean McVay has already said Henderson will replace Akers, but the Rams coach is still figuring out how to manage the running back’s workload. As he said recently, it’s never been an ability question with Henderson. It’s about availability and him being healthy – which has been an issue through two seasons.
McVay said on Friday that the team is still working through the approach to the season, though he doesn’t doubt that Henderson could be a three-down back.
“I think he’s got the ability, there’s no doubt about it,” McVay said. It’s really just kind of figuring out what’s going to be the best – I don’t want to say pitch count – but the best way to utilize him and really have the big picture in mind. He’s our most established guy without a doubt. I think we’re excited to see who develops and who really establishes themselves behind him. As far as the three-down (back), I know he’s capable of doing that. If we feel like that’s the best approach, we’ll do that. That’s the most important thing is what’s best for Darrell and the Rams.”
Behind Henderson are Xavier Jones, Jake Funk and Raymond Calais, who are all competing for snaps as backups. Jones was an undrafted rookie last year but never got on the field offensively, while Funk was a seventh-rounder this year – and a player with durability questions of his own. Calais is more of a special teams player with his return ability, but McVay isn’t excluding him from the discussion as the Rams try to find the best backup to Henderson.
It’s still early in camp, but Henderson has looked like a starting running back. McVay said his pass protection has “been great,” and that he’s matured in the NFL mentally and physically.
“A lot, even in just something like this, where it is more of a mental emphasis,” he said. “Did a lot of protection stuff. He’s just nice and calm, understands where his eye progression should take him if he’s involved in the protection, knows where his checked downs are, understands where he fits in some of the different things that we’re doing with him in the pass game. So, I’ve been very pleased with him.
“It does feel like a guy that’s really used the last couple of years to accumulate the knowledge.”
McVay and the Rams are “expecting big things from Darrell” this season, and they’ll need him to not only produce on the field, but also stay healthy. If he goes down, the Rams could be in some trouble at the running back spot.