INGLEWOOD — After a smaller role than expected in the season opener, Rams running back Cam Akers is a healthy inactive for Sunday’s Week 2 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Prior to the game, Akers tweeted, “I’m just as confused as everybody else. I’m blessed though,” adding a shrugging emoji.

I’m just as confused as everybody else. I’m blessed though

— Cam akers (@thereal_cam3) September 17, 2023

Akers was expected to be the Rams’ featured back this year after spending the 2022 season in conflict with the team over his role. A year removed from Achilles surgery, Akers expected to be an every-down back for the Rams last season only to step away from the team for several weeks after splitting the backfield with Darrell Henderson.

But he closed the season strong with three consecutive 100-yard games and appeared poised to take on his desired role this season, with little competition left in the backfield in his contract year.

But despite getting the start in last week’s win against the Seahawks, Akers watched large swaths of the first three quarters from the sidelines as second-year back Kyren Williams, expected to serve as a passing-situation back, got much of the early-down work and scored the team’s first two touchdowns.

Akers did add a touchdown later in the game and got much of the fourth-quarter work as the Rams looked to kill clock, but he gained just 29 yards on 22 carries.

This week, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur pointed to the offense as a whole for Akers’ meager 1.3 yards per carry.

“It’s never going to be just one guy,” LaFleur said. “We weren’t satisfied with how we ran the ball. So, yeah, Cam statistically wasn’t what it was, but again, it’s all 11.”

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