Jul 26, 2023; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) is pursued by defensive end Aaron Donald (99) during training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
Most expected former Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers to re-sign with the purple team this summer, and ESPN even reported the relationship as official in July, pending a physical.
But Akers did not rejoin the Vikings, instead latching onto the Houston Texans — and he’s now coined a “medical marvel.”
Akers tore his Achilles in a Vikings win over the Atlanta Falcons last year — the Joshua Dobbs game — his second Achilles tear of his NFL career. Now, he’s thriving in Houston, at least per summer activities, and appears on track to make the Texans’ 53-man roster next week.
Commenting on a recent preseason performance by Akers, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson wrote this week: “It was an impressive moment, particularly considering that Akers is a medical marvel of sorts. He tore both of his Achilles tendons during previous stints with the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings before earning a roster spot with the Texans through a training camp audition.”
Akers became a Viking via trade with the Los Angeles Rams last season after Alexander Mattison struggled out of the gate. He became an instant “locker room guy” and played quite well as an RB2-RB3. All told, he tabulated 49 touches for 208 yards from scrimmage. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about Akers after the November Achilles tear, “Cam has been phenomenal in our locker room, on the field, with our team. He’s enjoyed being a part of this.”
The Vikings ranked 27th leaguewide per rushing DVOA in 2023, an underwhelming mark after emphasizing ground-game improvement all last offseason. Eyeing 2024, the Vikings will presumably prioritize improvement again in that aspect of the offense, but they’ll have to do it without Akers, presumably promoting speedster Kene Nwangwu to RB3.
Wilson also explained that Akers entertained a Vikings reunion this summer: “Akers joined the Texans, whose running back position is headlined by Pro Bowl selection Joe Mixon, after considering rejoining the Vikings. The idea of playing for the Texans appealed to Akers greatly. The Mississippi native was already in town training with NFL and NBA elite trainer Justin Allen and was in the process of purchasing a home.”
Akers told KPRC2 about his redemption story: “I would say knowing who I am, knowing what God has blessed me to do and not settling. I don’t want that to be my story: ‘Injury, and he didn’t come out.’ I want to come back and show who I am still. I didn’t want that to be my story.”
If Akers does not dethrone Dare Ogunbowale or Jawhar Jordan for Houston’s RB3 spot next week, look for him to revisit the Vikings’ free-agent radar.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.