Cam Akers addresses taunting during Budda Baker injury situation

The Los Angeles Rams cruised to a 34-11 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night to advance to the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs. But the game was not without controversy. Late in the third quarter, Rams running back Cam Akers and Cardinals safety Budda Baker were involved in a scary helmet-to-helmet collision. After the hit, Akers appeared to be taunting Baker and other Cardinals players.

The Cardinals quickly grew upset with Akers’ actions. It does not appear that Akers was aware of the extent of Baker’s injury immediately after the hit. Once he did, he dropped to one knee in respect of the situation. On Monday night after the game, Akers took to Twitter to clarify his controversial actions.

“Prayers up to Budda,” Akers tweeted after the Rams’ win. “I didn’t know he was hurt after the play but I have nothing but respect for him.”

Baker was stretchered off the field and taken to the hospital via ambulance after the hit. Both teams cleared the benches to pay their respects to Baker. It was reported that Baker was responsive and never lost feeling or movement after the hit.

Baker took to Twitter himself late in the night to deliver a positive update on his injury.

“Thank you all for the prayers,” Baker said. “I am doing good.”

Akers made an improbable return to the Rams after early season injury

In July, Akers’ season was seemingly ended when he suffered a torn Achilles before the season even got underway. Around a month ago, the Rams activated Akers to return from injured reserve.

Akers made his return in the final week of the regular season, taking five carries for three yards in the Ram’s 27-24 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He also caught all three of his targets for 10 yards.

In 2020 as a rookie out of Florida State, Akers saw mixed results in the Rams’ backfield. He carried the ball 145 times for 625 yards and two touchdowns, adding 11 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Next up for the Rams is a matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional round on Sunday. The game is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday in Tampa Bay.