Mcvay: Henderson Rams best RB option

By DAN GREENSPAN Associated Press NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — When Cam Akers tore his Achilles tendon during offseason workouts, it seemingly left the Los Angeles Rams with questions at running back, including whether a reunion with their former star Todd Gurley was possible.

But coach Sean Mcvay expressed confidence with the Rams’ current options at the position and ruled out the addition of a more experienced tailback before training camp starts on Wednesday.

“I don’t think that’s something that we’re exploring right now, just the veteran route,” Mcvay said Monday.

Instead, third-year running back Darrell Henderson will be counted on to replace Akers. A third-round draft pick in 2019, Henderson was rarely featured as a rookie behind Gurley and Malcolm Brown, finishing with 147 yards rushing on 39 carries.

Henderson got off to a promising start last season, running for 81 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries against Philadelphia and setting career highs with 20 attempts for 114 yards and a score against Buffalo the following week.

But Henderson couldn’t build on that two-week stretch as the Rams’ whole offense bogged down, and a highankle sprain in December sidelined him for the last game of the regular season and the postseason. Akers emerged as the lead back late in the year, including totaling 272 yards from scrimmage in two playoff games, while Henderson finished with 624 yards rushing and five touchdowns in 15 games.

Still, Mcvay sees that brief flourish as an indication of what Henderson is capable of.

“I mean, if you look through the first half of the year last year, this has never been an ability question for Darrell Henderson. He is the most established guy in that room,” Mcvay said.