NFL Player News

Perine had two carries for zero yards and failed to catch his lone target Sunday during 23-20 loss to the Rams in Super Bowl LVI.

Perine played only 13 offensive snaps Sunday, with his most impactful play being a zero-yard run on third down late in the fourth quarter, which helped set up Cincinnati's turnover on downs a play later. The 26-year-old caught three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown during the AFC Championship Game but was unable to replicate that production in the Super Bowl. Perine totaled 55 carries for 246 yards and 27 receptions for 196 yards and two total touchdowns in 16 games during the regular season, and he remains under contract with the Bengals for $1.5 million in 2022.

Mixon rushed the ball 15 times for 72 yards in Sunday's 23-20 Super Bowl LVI loss to the Rams. He added five receptions for one yard and also threw a six-yard touchdown.

Mixon was effective as a rusher, delivering three gains of at least 10 yards. However, his primary impact came midway through the second quarter when he delivered a six-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins in the back corner of the end zone on a trick play. Mixon posted one of his better games of the postseason and combined to record 160 rushing yards combined between the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl. He'll return to Cincinnati as the team's lead back for the 2022 season, and it's possible that he'll have more running lanes if the Bengals upgrade their offensive line during the offseason.

Akers rushed 13 times for 21 yards and brought in three of four targets for 14 yards during the Rams' 23-20 win over the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday.

Akers comfortably paced the backfield in carries even with Darrell Henderson making his return from injured reserve, but as was the case most of the postseason, he found running room very much at a premium. The second-year back nearly outpaced his rushing yardage total through the air on just three touches, underscoring the tough sledding he encountered on the ground. Naturally, the Super Bowl win for his team is the ultimate consolation, and Akers could also certainly be heartened by the fact he made a very rapid recovery from the Achilles tear he suffered in July. With a full offseason ahead of him to get back to full strength, the FSU product will undoubtedly aim for a major comeback effort in the Rams' 2022 title-defense season.

Akers (shoulder) practiced fully Thursday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

After not practicing at all last week, Akers has ramped up his activity level in short order this week, going from limited at Wednesday's walkthrough to all drills one day later. As a result, the Rams have their top two running backs -- also, Sony Michel -- ready for a Super Bowl LVI matchup with the Bengals. The question mark that remains in Los Angeles' backfield is the status of Darrell Henderson (knee), whose window to return from injured reserve is about to close. Fortunately, coach Sean McVay expressed optimism earlier this week that Henderson has a "good chance" to be available Sunday, per Stu Jackson of the team's official site. In the end, though, Akers should get the larger share of touches among the trio, with Michel and potentially Henderson mixing in behind him.

Akers (shoulder) was a limited participant at Wednesday's walk-through practice, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Akers didn't practice at all during the first week of prep for Super Bowl LVI, so Wednesday's development displays a degree of progress from the shoulder injury that he suffered during the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 30. In three playoff games (including two starts) during the Rams' current run, he's averaged 2.8 yards on 54 carries and hauled in five of six targets for 62 yards. During that same stretch, fellow running back Sony Michel has averaged 3.3 yards on 24 rushes while combining for minus-8 yards on three catches. Akers' progress in the Rams' final two practice sessions of the season likely will determine whether he enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's matchup with the Bengals.

Kamara is scheduled to make his first appearance in court March 8 following his arrest Sunday in Las Vegas on a charge of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, David Charns of 8 News Now Las Vegas reports.

Following his appearance for the NFC squad in the Pro Bowl on Sunday, Kamara was taken into police custody after his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred at a Las Vegas casino and night club early Saturday morning. Kamara was released from jail after posting bail Sunday, and his initial court appearance scheduled for Monday was later canceled. Kamara and the Saints have yet to make a statement about his arrest, and both the team and NFL may wait for the legal process to play out before determining if the running back faces a fine or suspension.

Kamara was arrested Sunday in Las Vegas on a battery charge after he was accused of injuring another person at a night club Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The running back's arrest came just hours after he participated in the Pro Bowl earlier in the day. In a press release, the Las Vegas Police Department announced that Kamara was taken into custody without incident and booked for battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

Akers (shoulder) appears to be absent from a third straight practice Friday, but Rams coach Sean McVay suggested he expects the running back to play in the Super Bowl against Cincinnati, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

While the Rams list eight players on their injury report this week, McVay suggested only one -- TE Tyler Higbee (knee) -- is in serious danger of missing the big game. It'll be cause for concern if Akers continues to miss practice next week, though it sounds like the Rams expect him to return. There is some chance of a reduced role compared to the past few weeks, as Akers hasn't had much luck running the ball, and Darrell Henderson (knee) could come back from IR for the Super Bowl (he was suited up for practice Friday, per Rodrigue).

Akers (shoulder) didn't participate in Thursday's walkthrough, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

Akers has yet to practice this week since sustaining a shoulder injury during the Rams' win in the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers, but he also has more than a week to get healthy ahead of a Super Bowl matchup with the Bengals. He played through the issue this past Sunday, turning 14 touches into 50 yards from scrimmage. Meanwhile, fellow running back Sony Michel couldn't find much traction to the tune of 12 total yards on 11 touches. Akers will have four more chances to mix into drills before L.A. next takes the field on Sunday, Feb. 13.

Akers (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Akers missed a portion of the first half of the Rams' recent win in the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers due to a shoulder injury, resulting in his second-lowest share of offensive snaps (39 percent) since making his season debut Week 18 following an Achilles tear suffered in July. Still, he was far more efficient than backfield mate Sony Michel, taking 14 touches for 50 yards from scrimmage versus the latter's 11 touches for 12 total yards on 57 percent of those plays. The Rams likely are easing Akers into preparation for a Super Bowl matchup with the Bengals on Feb. 13, but his status will be one to monitor to make sure he's set to play in the season finale.