Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams did not trade Cam Akers at Tuesday's deadline even though the running back appeared to want a fresh start.

However, Akers told reporters Thursday that he "never asked to not be a part of the team," adding: "I never asked to not play. I never asked to not practice."

Akers returned to the Rams for practice Thursday after not practicing with the team because of personal reasons since Oct. 11. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Oct. 16 that Akers and head coach Sean McVay had "philosophical and football-related differences."

The Rams turned down "multiple offers" for Akers at the deadline, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday. He added that the franchise was working with Akers "in hopes" that he would suit up for the team again this season.

McVay said Wednesday that he was "very encouraged" by the discussions he has had with Akers and that the two sides are "working through a couple of different options," per ESPN's Sarah Barshop.

McVay added that Akers said he would like to be a part of the team moving forward:

"The one thing that I think is good about some of these discussions that can take place is when you get a chance to reflect on it, you can be honest about [what] you could do differently, talking about myself, some of the expectations. And there's a lot of confidence, there's a lot of belief in the human being and the player Cam Akers, based on the experiences.

"And you don't want to jump to conclusions just based on a couple things that, nobody was necessarily at fault, but it could have been handled better. And I always look at myself first and foremost."

However, it's unclear if he'll play in Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as offensive coordinator Liam Coen told reporters:

“Glad to have him back. Hopefully we can get him going. If that’s this week and we can get him turned over both physically and mentally to play on Sunday, great. If not, then we’ll continue to kind of see how that situation develops and see where it can go moving forward.”

Akers hasn't played since a Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He has rushed for 151 yards and one touchdown on 51 carries in five games. Darrell Henderson Jr. and Malcolm Brown have picked up the slack in his absence.

The 23-year-old has spent his entire three-year career with the Rams since being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft out of Florida State. He's under contract through the 2023 campaign.

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay is reportedly considered likely to retire once the core of Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp and Jalen Ramsey are no longer with the team.

"I think there's also an acknowledgment—this is something that I've talked about the last few months—Sean McVay's future with the team is probably tied to those four guys," Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated said on The Rich Eisen Show. "In all likelihood, when those guys are gone, McVay is going to be gone, too.

"So, I think the way they look at this is, 'We have to do everything we can to maximize what we've got right now. Because we've got a special, special coach, and we've got a special core of players. Maybe that lasts for another year. Maybe it lasts for five. Whatever that period of time is, we need to get the most of those guys right now.'"

McVay has openly talked about the concept of burnout and admitted he doesn't see himself remaining on the sidelines into old age.

“If I was to put a timeline on it, I am nowhere close to not wanting to coach football,” McVay told Eisen in May. " I love coaching so much. The question was asked if I was going to be a lifer in coaching, and then I elaborated on I don’t know if I see myself doing this until I’m 70.”

Amazon reportedly pursued McVay hard for a spot in the TV booth for Thursday Night Football, offering him up to $100 million to leave coaching. McVay turned it down and wound up signing an extension with the Rams through 2026.

Donald, in particular, has been open about considering retirement. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year flirted with walking away from the game after the Rams' Super Bowl win in February but ultimately chose to return on a three-year, $95 million deal.

Ramsey is under contract through the 2025 season, while Stafford and Kupp recently signed deals that keep them in Los Angeles through 2026.

Barring something unforeseen, it's likely we have at least four more years of McVay on the sidelines.

The Los Angeles Rams are reportedly hopeful running back Cam Akers will return to the team after he was not traded at the 2022 deadline.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the Rams turned down "multiple" offers for Akers at the deadline despite agreeing to find him a new home. Akers has not played in either of the Rams' last two games due to "personal reasons" amid a falling out over his usage in the offense.

Given there were offers on the table, it's a curious—at best—decision for the Rams to hold onto Akers. While it's true their running game is desperately in need of a talent infusion, it's not as if Akers was lighting the world on fire. He compiled just 151 yards and one touchdown on 51 carries before being parked on the sideline.

Darrell Henderson, who has struggled in his own right, actually has 46 more yards on one fewer carry. With promising rookie Kyren Williams set to return sooner rather than later, it's hard to find logic in keeping a middling player who doesn't want to be there.

Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported Akers still wants a "fair resolution" to his situation even after no trade was completed. It's abundantly clear from Akers' perspective that he never wants to play another down for the Rams.

Even coach Sean McVay acknowledged last month that it was probably better for all parties if Akers continued his career elsewhere.

This might be a different situation if Akers were some generational superstar, but he's a below-average running back by every available metric. Moving on—even for a Day 3 pick—would have been the prudent move.

The Los Angeles Rams reportedly offered the Carolina Panthers multiple first-round picks in exchange for defensive end Brian Burns.

Albert Breer of The MMQB (h/t Brendan Sugrue of Bears Wire) reported on the Rams' offer to Carolina on ESPN 1000 in Chicago on Tuesday.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler also reported the Rams offered two first-round picks for Burns and added that they included running back Cam Akers in those talks.

The Panthers have been active leading up to Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, trading running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Robbie Anderson to the Arizona Cardinals. However, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported Carolina intends to keep Burns despite receiving a strong offer.

No team has been more aggressive on the trade market than the Rams in recent years. They dealt high draft picks in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey in 2019, quarterback Matthew Stafford before the 2021 season and pass-rusher Von Miller last November.

Those moves helped the Rams win the Super Bowl last season, but it also left them short on draft picks.

For the 2023 NFL draft, the Rams are without their picks in the first, fourth and fifth rounds, meaning they would have had to deal from future draft classes in a trade for Burns.

The 24-year-old Burns was the No. 16 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft.

In his fourth NFL season, he is on pace for his best statistical campaign yet with five sacks, 36 tackles and eight tackles for loss through eight games.

After recording 7.5 sacks as a rookie, Burns registered nine sacks in each of the past two seasons, and he earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2021.

Since the Panthers are seemingly in rebuilding mode, securing two future first-round picks may have been attractive, but keeping a young, productive pass-rusher could have more value.

Burns continues to improve, and he is under contract next season at a salary of $16 million after Carolina exercised his fifth-year option.

If Burns continues to play well, the Panthers may make a longer-term investment in him, and they would likely be happy to do so since a star pass-rusher is among the most important foundational pieces in the NFL.

For the Rams, the 2022 season has been disappointing as they are just 3-4 and in third place in the NFC West.

Despite their struggles, they have a golden opportunity to reach the playoffs given how weak the NFC is as a whole.

Even the Panthers aren't out of it at 2-6 as they trail the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons by only two games. That may have played into their decision to retain Burns.

While reportedly turning down two first-rounders for Burns could come back to bite the Panthers, they've already picked up extra second-, third- and fourth-round picks in the 2023 draft, so they have plenty of ammo to add young talent.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay expects wide receiver Cooper Kupp to suit up for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McVay told reporters Monday the 2021 All-Pro has some tissue swelling in his right ankle but no structural damage, so he avoided the worst-case scenario.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported earlier Kupp suffered an ankle sprain and was likely day-to-day.

From NFL Now: #Rams WR Cooper Kupp is expected to be day-to-day with his ankle sprain. pic.twitter.com/Omk9aoMmrI

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 31, 2022

Losing Kupp to an injury is obviously cause for concern, and the circumstances surrounding how he got hurt led to some frustration for Rams fans. He was forced to exit with 1:02 left in a 31-14 loss at home to the San Francisco 49ers. The game was clearly out of reach, so it wasn't a time for L.A. to put its best players at any more risk than necessary.

McVay was introspective after the defeat and told reporters he was "kicking myself for not running the football again."

Fortunately for the Rams, it may not be a costly mistake.

Through seven games, Kupp isn't matching the blistering pace last year, yet he might be even more valuable to the offense.

His 64 receptions and 686 receiving yards lead the team, and tight end Tyler Higbee is the next closest player with 36 catches for 312 yards. Kupp has also accounted for five of Matthew Stafford's seven touchdown passes.

Stafford's 251.9 passing yards per game are on track to be the fourth-lowest of his career, and imagine what his production might be like if Kupp weren't available.

With the Rams looking to get back to .500 in Week 9, they can ill afford to be without the 6'2" pass-catcher.

The Los Angeles Rams may be in serious trouble. The defending Super Bowl champions fell to 3-4 in embarrassing fashion Sunday, losing 31-14 to the rival San Francisco 49ers.

It marked the second loss of the year to San Francisco and the third time this season that the 49ers have won out over L.A.

In between the two NFC West showdowns, the 49ers also topped the Rams in the Christian McCaffrey sweepstakes. As Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports noted, the 49ers and Rams were both vying for the chance to acquire McCaffrey via a trade:

"The Panthers pitted the Rams and Niners against one another as the two teams continue to battle for NFC West—and NFC, and NFL—dominance. The 49ers' ability to include a 2023 fourth-round pick took them over the top, as the Rams had traded their 2023 fourth last year to acquire Sony Michel."

Los Angeles got a firsthand look at McCaffrey on Sunday, and the 26-year-old shined with running, receiving and passing touchdowns.

Christian McCaffrey's first TD as a 49er is a ... 34-yard PASSING touchdown.pic.twitter.com/tnQYKZU25f

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 30, 2022

The Rams' rushing attack, meanwhile, floundered against San Francisco, finishing with just 56 yards.

The door has closed on Los Angeles' shot at McCaffrey, but the Rams' need for a starting-caliber back remains. Fortunately, another quality dual-threat back is available, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

"The Cleveland Browns are willing to grant running back Kareem Hunt's trade request, sources told ESPN," Schefter wrote Sunday. "Hunt, who is in the final year of his contract and is seeking a new deal, asked to be traded by the Browns this past August, but the team initially declined his request."

Hunt hasn't been heavily utilized this season, as the Browns have leaned hard on starting back Nick Chubb. However, Hunt was fantastic when healthy a season ago, racking up 560 scrimmage yards, 22 receptions and five touchdowns in eight games.

Hunt also led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards as a rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017.

According to Schefter, the Browns want a fourth-round pick for Hunt, something the Rams don't have next year, but if Los Angeles can make an equivalent offer, it should. The need for an upgrade at running back is too pressing to ignore.

The Rams rank 31st in rushing and 31st in yards per carry (3.3) as a team. They're also trying to trade former starter Cam Akers, though he's expected to return to the lineup if he isn't dealt.

"The Rams would find a trade partner for Akers in a perfect world, according to sources, but they also recognize that he can still help them this season," Schefter also wrote Sunday.

Realistically, though, Akers isn't going to provide much help. He's averaged a paltry 3.0 yards per carry and fumbled once in five games.

To make matters worse, star wideout Cooper Kupp suffered an ankle injury Sunday. The 2021 receiving leader was optimistic after the game.

"Foot got caught, but I think it was able to slide out of there before there was too much damage done, and so, we'll see over these next few days how it responds," Kupp told reporters.

However, if Kupp misses time or plays at less than 100 percent, the Rams have little hope of bringing balance to their offense with the current roster. Kupp is the only reliable playmaker on offense right now, and if he isn't backing opposing defenses up, the ground game could get even more underwhelming.

Hunt, who has 191 receptions in 66 career games, would at least give Matthew Stafford another go-to target in the passing game.

Now, it's fair to wonder how much interest the Rams have in acquiring Hunt, who is in the final year of his contract. According to NBC Sports' Peter King, it isn't much.

"The Kareem Hunt talk sounds like an invention," King wrote Monday. "I don't think the Rams have much interest in him."

If the Rams believe that Hunt is too pricey, they need to consider other options. Perhaps Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson—534 yards and 5.3 yards per carry last season—could be available. Maybe the Rams can pry a running back away from another struggling team—Josh Jacobs of the 2-5 Las Vegas Raiders is also in the final year of his contract.

However, Los Angeles should kick the tires on Hunt first. He's the best realistic option the Rams can target, and L.A. is running out of time before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp says he feels "pretty good" after injuring his ankle in Sunday's 31-14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers,

Kupp added that "things are pointing toward dodging a bullet" in regard to the injury:

Cooper Kupp: “I feel pretty good right now.” He thinks he dodged a bullet with his injury at the end of the game. pic.twitter.com/MENQLVRpHn

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) October 30, 2022

Head coach Sean McVay had told reporters after the game that he believed Kupp had hurt his ankle but did not have any details about the injury.

Kupp appeared to have his ankle rolled up on late in the fourth quarter. McVay added that he wishes he had called for the offense to run the ball instead of having Matthew Stafford drop back to pass.

Kupp, who is in the middle of his sixth NFL season, has racked up 64 catches for 686 yards and five touchdowns through seven games in 2022.

L.A. selected Kupp in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft out of Eastern Washington, and it wasn't long before he established himself as a key part of the offense.

Kupp was highly productive out of the slot as a rookie, registering 62 catches for 869 yards and five touchdowns, but he was limited to just eight games the following season because of a torn ACL.

He bounced back from that to put up fantastic numbers in 2019, making 94 grabs for 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Kupp wasn't quite as productive in 2020, but he still delivered to the tune of 92 receptions for 974 yards and three scores.

Entering 2021, there was hope for Kupp to reach new heights, as the Rams traded quarterback Jared Goff and draft picks to the Detroit Lions for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Stafford's arrival was a game-changer for Kupp, as he went on to enjoy one of the greatest seasons in NFL history by a wide receiver.

Kupp led the NFL with 145 receptions, 1,947 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns en route to being named NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and he also won the Super Bowl MVP award in L.A.'s Super Bowl victory of the Cincinnati Bengals.

If Kupp's injury forces him to miss some game action, the Rams will turn to some other members of their receiving corps to pick up the slack.

Free-agent signing Allen Robinson II will be the unquestioned No. 1 should Kupp miss time, with Van Jefferson moving up to No. 2. Stafford will need more out of Tutu Atwell and Ben Skowronek as well.

Tight end Tyler Higbee should also get more looks, and running backs Darrell Henderson Jr. and Malcolm Brown may become an even bigger part of the offense, too.

Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers is expected to resume playing for the team if he is not moved by Tuesday's trade deadline.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Rams would trade Akers "in a perfect world" but that it's also possible he winds up returning.

The Rams are expected to hold Akers out of Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers amid a falling out over frustration with his role in the offense. It'll mark the second straight game he's missed.

"I'd like to think I'm a very open-minded person," Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters earlier this month. "But I think when you look at certain situations and scenarios with the way that things have kind of unfolded, as of right now, I think ... the best option for all parties ... would be to explore if there's a good situation for him with another team.

"If that doesn't come to fruition, I would never say that him coming back and figuring out the best way to be able to utilize him and him be the best player he's capable of is, is off the table. I would never speak in absolutes like that."

The 23-year-old Florida State product was limited to one appearance during the 2021 regular season because of a torn Achilles, but he made it back in time for the playoffs to help L.A. capture the Super Bowl LVI title.

He's tallied 169 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown in five games so far in 2022.

Darrell Henderson Jr. is expected to receive a bulk of the snaps at running back for the time being, with Malcolm Brown mixing in.

Akers is still working to prove himself as a potential franchise running back. Given the lack of movement nearly three full weeks after the falling out, it's clear opposing teams aren't overly sold on him.

As the Los Angeles Rams look for ways to turn their season around, one familiar name could be on their radar before Tuesday's trade deadline.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported Saturday there is "talk in some league circles" the Rams are pursuing a trade for Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks.

Cooks has seemingly been on the trade market since the end of last season. There were rumblings he might be moved during the offseason until he agreed to a two-year contract extension with Houston in April.

The extension could be a problem if the Texans try to move Cooks. He is only making $1.2 million in base salary this season, but his cap hit spikes to $26.6 million with a $34.2 million dead cap figure in 2023.

As the Texans endure another year of rebuilding, keeping a 29-year-old wide receiver who probably won't be on the roster by the time they are good again makes little sense.

Jordan Schultz of The Score reported this week that Houston is willing to trade Cooks with several teams showing "real interest." According to Schultz, the Texans would prefer to receive draft capital in return if they deal the nine-year veteran.

Per NFL reporter Dov Kleiman, the Rams, Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers are among the teams with interest in Cooks. The Chiefs added Kadarius Toney in a deal with the New York Giants on Friday, so they may be out of the receiver market.

The Packers might be more desperate for another receiver than Los Angeles. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers publicly called for players who make too many mistakes to get benched on The Pat McAfee Show (h/t Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith). Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb are the only wideouts on the roster with at least 15 catches who are averaging more than 10 yards per reception.

Los Angeles tried to address its No. 2 receiver position during the offseason by signing Allen Robinson to a three-year contract. He's been a bust with 170 yards on 17 receptions in six games, however.

The entire Rams offense has struggled due to a combination of injuries on the offensive line and poor performances. They have scored the fourth-fewest points in the league (17.3 points per game), and Matthew Stafford has more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (six).

Cooks is familiar with Sean McVay's system, having played with the Rams for two seasons from 2018 to 2019. He had a career-high 1,204 receiving yards in 2018 to help Los Angeles reach the Super Bowl, where he caught eight passes for 120 yards in a 13-3 loss to the New England Patriots.

The Los Angeles Rams play at SoFi Stadium, which is one of the 14 NFL fields with an artificial surface.

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp wishes that wasn't the case.

"It's not even close," Kupp said when asked if he prefers natural grass over turf, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN. "I know there's stuff going around the league right now, there's some issues. Hands down, we should be playing on grass. Hands down, we should be on grass. And that's all I'm going to say."

SoFi Stadium's playing surface was in the headlines this past Sunday when Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf and Los Angeles Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson each suffered patellar injuries on non-contact plays during their game.

Jackson was lost for the season after rupturing the patellar tendon in his right knee, while Metcalf may miss the upcoming game against the New York Giants even though his left patellar tendon injury was less serious.

"I think we definitely need to look at this really seriously in the offseason again," Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said of the debate between grass and turf, per ESPN's Brady Henderson. "It's been a discussion before. We've got to do what's right, and we've got to do what's safest for the players and we've got to make those choices. I would pound on the drum for that."

Seattle's Lumen Field also has an artificial surface.

Henderson noted NFL Players Association president JC Tretter advocated for all teams to switch to grass fields in 2020. Tretter used data collected from 2012 to 2018 that revealed players suffered noncontact lower-extremity injuries at a 28 percent higher clip on turf than grass.

As for Kupp and the Rams, they will be back on the turf at SoFi Stadium on Sunday when they host the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC West showdown.