Cam Akers has made a fairytale comeback with the Los Angeles Rams. Only six months after a ruptured Achilles tendon, he played in the playoffs. In the process, the running back showed in a painful way that he can take hard tackles and dish them out. On Sunday, he will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 8:45 p.m.

Munich – A lot of tears have been shed. Starting with the ruptured Achilles tendon. After the diagnosis. During the phone call with the mother. During rehab.

For Cam Akers, the most emotional months of his career recently came to an end. It took the Los Angeles Rams running back just under six months to recover from the injury and return to action in the playoffs against the Arizona Cardinals. An NFL fairytale.

In 2020, the 22-year-old came into the league as a second-round pick and had a stellar rise.

Los Angeles Rams: Cam Akers establishes himself as rookie

In the Rams’ creative rushing offense, Akers quickly found a role alongside Darrell Henderson, rushing for 625 yards on 145 carries. Things went especially well in the playoffs with 221 yards and two touchdowns.

It’s hard to imagine how painful it must be to tear your Achilles tendon after a strong rookie season and successfully establishing yourself in the NFL. That’s what happened in July 2021 just before the start of training camp.

As one of many young players, you can never be too sure in the NFL, no matter how great your standing is – or once was. Running backs in particular have been shown time and again in recent years how easily they can be replaced.

NFL: Running backs can be replaced at any time

So it was Akers and Henderson themselves who were able to fill Todd Gurley’s void with the Rams. Stepping in for Akers was Sony Michel. “Next man up: when things go sour, you can quickly be forgotten. Especially when you tear your hamstring and have to watch your team make the playoffs for a year.

With Akers, however, it was different. He was driven to do the impossible.

“The fear of not being able to come back gave me the motivation I needed,” the Rams workhouse said. “The fear of not being able to get any better than I was before I got hurt. At that point of fear, there was no self-pity. I had to retrain my mindset and just attack. “

Cam Akers: First progress after just one month

He achieved progress one after the other. It became apparent early on that Akers could be back by the playoffs. Even after the first month, he said, he had a realistic goal of still being able to make the 2021 postseason.

“I’ve been able to do things that others haven’t been able to do for a long time with this injury,” he bragged at the press conference before the Cardinals game: “All of a sudden, the goal I set for the playoffs wasn’t far off. It was achievable.”

So he kept playing a role in Head Coach Sean McVay’s thoughts and reflections. Akers wouldn’t let people forget about him. To be planned for without him.

Los Angeles Rams: Akers comeback was always on the horizon

“We always had that timeline in mind,” the head coach confirmed to the Los Angeles Times. “He exceeded our expectations. The playoffs and the game against the Niners in Week 18 were our timeline.”

It was met. Just two days before Christmas, Akers was back on the training field with his teammates for the first time, and shortly after that he was part of the active squad again. In week 18, he made his comeback in the game against San Francisco. He was allowed to run five times and catch three passes.

An important step in getting back to a bigger role in the playoffs against the Cardinals. “It was really important for him to be able to go back out there, collect the first snaps, concede some tackles, catch the ball again and start the first runs,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said after the game.

The signal-caller, who was on the field with Akers for the first time, showed how much the running back is appreciated within the team with his exemplary work ethic. “He did a good job and I can’t tell you how proud I am of the guy,” he praised his young offensive weapon. He said it was an incredible accomplishment in every way to have him back.

Cam Akers: trash talk fit against the Cardinals

That showed against Arizona, too. Sharing carries 17-for-13 with Michel, Akers finished with 55 fewer yards, but also caught a pass from Odell Beckham Jr. for 40 yards on a trick play.

You couldn’t expect more from the comeback. “It’s unbelievable. I don’t think the stats show how well he played for us today,” a proud McVay praised him after the game: “He was outstanding and he’s getting more confident.”

What was also evident against the Cardinals is that Akers is mission-proven. As a running back, he’s not afraid to take hard hits. He made that especially clear in a bitter scene against Cards safety Budda Baker.

Cam Akers hit on Budda Baker pic.twitter.com/ADP9iVlkl1

– Main Team (@MainTeamSports2) January 18, 2022

During a run Baker lowered his head to make a tackle and collided at high speed with the onrushing Akers. What went down anything but well was the trash talk Akers got carried away with in the heated play.

As Baker lay dazed on the ground, the Rams pro bent over him and gestured for him to stay down. An action for which he apologised after the game. The Cards’ defensive ace had to be taken away by ambulance after all.

Prays up to Budda . I didn’t know he was hurt after the play but I have nothing but respect for him .

– Cam akers (@thereal_cam3) January 18, 2022

“I pray for Budda. I didn’t know he was so injured after the play and have nothing but respect for him,” he tweeted. Baker also later stated that he was fine so far.

Akers was able to finish the game without further incident and was met with loud cheers in the dressing room. He was presented with the game ball by McVay in front of the assembled team and was showered with praise.

“Unbelievable job! So proud of you guys!”

Coach breaks us down after a great team win. pic.twitter.com/sUoBQNFyoC

– Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 18, 2022

Cam Akers: When tears prove to be a blessing

Akers picked up the positive emotions he had been working towards for so long. At the press conference he summed up, “It was tough, really really tough. I cried a lot. I had a lot of good days and a lot of bad days. But never losing sight of where I want to get to and where I want to be again one day is why I went full throttle every day. So that I can come back again.”

He said it was a blessing to have recovered so quickly from the injury. To have achieved something that no one has achieved before.

The tears of July 2021 have turned into an NFL fairy tale.