The Los Angeles Rams are among one of the favorites to contend for the Super Bowl this postseason. Their bid just got a lot better with the recent news on running back Cam Akers.

Akers tore his Achilles months before the NFL season started. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Rams are expected to play Akers in their Week 18 tilt against the San Francisco 49ers with a limited role. They'll reportedly use that as a stepping stone to have him ramp up the action once the NFL playoffs start.

“After tearing his Achilles in July, Rams’ RB Cam Akers is expected to make his season debut today vs. the 49ers, per sources. Akers is expected to have a limited role today, but an increased role during the postseason. “He looks fantastic,” one Rams’ official said this weekend.”

Cam Akers' absence severely hamstrung the Rams' rushing attack. In effect, they've been one of the least run-dependent teams in the NFL – and it's arguably by necessity. Cooper Kupp is having an all-time wide receiver season and has been a much more attractive option to run the offense through than going to the ground game.

That's led to Los Angeles being in the bottom 10 in total rushing yards and yards per carry, while being tied for the third-least rushing touchdowns in the NFL with just 10. They were in the top 10 in all three categories last season with both Akers and Darrell Henderson splitting time last season.

But with Akers back to aid the RB room with both Henderson and Rams' leading rushing Sony Michel, they could be an even bigger threat in the postseason than many expect.