Oct 1, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (31) runs after the catch defended by Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.
The Houston Texans employ a handful of prominent former Minnesota Vikings players, including Danielle Hunter, Stefon Diggs, and Case Keenum.
But don’t forget about the “other” guy — running back Cam Akers.
Texans running backs Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce are dealing with injuries this week and are questionable for Sunday at the time of this article’s publication. Almost by default, Akers could be the next man up, on deck to face his 2023 team, the Vikings.
KPRC2’s Aaron Willson tweeted Wednesday, “Tunning back Cam Akers, with Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce sidelined, preps for increased role against his former team, the Vikings.”
Mixon, Houston’s RB1, is dealing with a high ankle sprain, an ailment that doesn’t typically involve a speedy recovery. If he can’t go and Pierce is hobbled, Akers is more than capable of an enhanced workload versus the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Akers became a Viking via trade in September, a depth piece to the Vikings’ RB room behind Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler. Altogether, he tabulated 49 touches for 208 yards from scrimmage. He even scored Minnesota’s first rushing touchdown of the 2023 season in Week 8. Yes, it took the team that long. Akers tore his Achilles a week later.
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.”
Offseason mystery also accompanied Akers and the Vikings this summer. ESPN’s transaction page reported in early July that Akers had re-signed in Minnesota, but the team never confirmed anything of the sort. Folks wondered if Akers was actually on the team, but on July 22nd, Akers signed with the Texans and had no problem with that physical.
All told in five NFL seasons, Akers has tallied 1,936 yards from scrimmage on 444 touches for a decent 4.4 yards per touch and 12 total touchdowns. His career trajectory is also noteworthy because NFLers rarely bounce back from two separate torn Achilles injuries.
Minnesota has Myles Gaskin on the roster for the “Cam Akers role” this season, a man promoted from the practice squad on Wednesday. The Vikings rushing offense ranks sixth per DVOA through two games, a marked improvement after the franchise finished 27th via the same metric in 2022 and 2023.
The Texans are expected to beat the Vikings by a point or two this weekend — and Akers might contribute if so.
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.