THOUSAND OAKS >> Running back Cam Akers received a second chance from the Rams, but he has plenty to prove, according to his coaches.

Akers returned to practice Thursday, three weeks after being sent home for “in-house” reasons that Rams coach Sean McVay has kept private. McVay wasn’t scheduled to speak to reporters Thursday, but defensive coordinator Raheem Morris provided some details into why Akers hadn’t practiced since Oct. 12.

“We had a disagreement,” Morris said. “Cam and our system, right? He stepped away from the building a little bit and now you gotta invite him back into the fold. Sometimes you gotta get away from tough situations to go through some adversities to have that ability to come back and shine. Those two (Akers and McVay) will mend out their differences.

“We drafted Cam for a reason. We believe in him. He can run the football, he can make people miss and he’s gotta get back to doing that and he’s gotta prove it again to his teammates and he’s gotta prove it again to his coaches.”

There might still be disagreement when it comes to why Akers was told to go home and not worry about the past two games against the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.

Akers told reporters Thursday it’s not accurate to say he had issues with the offensive system and he was unsure why he was told to stay away for three weeks.

“I want to know the same thing,” Akers said, when asked what happened with the team. “I don’t know what happened. I was prepared because I had to be. I don’t know where it came from or how it happened, but it don’t matter at this point. I’m here. I’m in house, back with the team, so I’m happy.”

When asked whose decision it was for him not to be involved with the team, Akers said: “I don’t know whose it was, but it wasn’t mine.”

Akers didn’t provide much clarity into the strange situation, but he made it clear that he always wanted to be a part of the team.

“I never asked to not be a part of the team,” said Akers, the Rams’ 2020 second-round pick out of Florida State. “I never asked to not play. I never asked to not practice. … I never asked to be traded. Nobody wants to get traded or released.”

Akers’ first step to proving it to his team was his productive conversation with McVay on Wednesday, a day after the team failed to trade him before the NFL trade deadline. McVay said Akers made it clear he wanted to be a part of the team during their conversation.

“It was good to see him,” Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald said about Akers. “He looked like he was in good spirits. To see Cam out there, he had a smile on his face, it’s good.”

Akers’ teammates appeared excited to have him back in the locker room and some shouted support for him during his scrum interview with reporters.

“Your teammates are happy that you’re here, too,” one teammate could be heard saying.

Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen agreed that Akers deserved another opportunity.

“I think players believe and I believe, and our staff does, that everybody deserves a second chance,” Coen said. “Whatever the issues are or things that have occurred, if we make the decision to bring somebody back, and Cam is all on board, the players, the staff, everybody is onboard to make that decision. It doesn’t just come overnight and just decide. It’s something that we’ve been talking about and everybody is on board, so see where it goes.”

The disagreement between McVay and Akers became public after McVay told reporters that he needed to see more urgency from his running back following the season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills. Akers, who recorded three carries for zero yards against the Bills, said at the time he was unsure what McVay meant by more urgency.

Akers has 151 rushing yards and a touchdown on 51 carries in five games this season.

It’s strange that Akers said he doesn’t know why he was sent home, but it might not matter because the team needs him to improve the stagnant running game and he might not have anything to prove to his teammates after the way they supported him in the locker room.

But it’s obvious he has plenty to prove to McVay and the Rams’ front office after they spent the past few weeks trying to trade him. Akers can make it right by delivering a standout performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — if McVay lets him play Sunday.

Kupp feeling good

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp said he was encouraged by how his injured right ankle responded on the field during Thursday’s practice.

Kupp was listed as a “limited participant” after missing Wednesday’s practice. The All-Pro wideout injured his ankle last week against the 49ers.

“I think today was encouraging,” Kupp said. “Take it day by day. Keep trusting the process and trusting the guys in the training room.”

Inside linebacker Ernest Jones and defensive lineman Greg Gaines didn’t practice because of illness. Center Brian Allen (knee) returned to practice as a “limited participant” after missing the prior practice.