Mystery about Vikings RB Takes Weird Turn
Earlier this month, ESPN reported that running back Cam Akers re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings pending a physical.
Mystery about Vikings RB Takes Weird Turn
It was the only source reporting the transaction, as Vikings.com and the NFL’s transaction main wire uplifted no details about such a move.
Then on Sunday, KPRC Houston’s Aaron Wilson tweeted that Akers worked out for the Houston Texans. “Sources: Texans work out veteran running back Cam Akers,” he posted. Had Akers failed a physical for the Vikings, that would’ve hit the open world as a news item.
A Vikings-Akers reunion really picked up steam about on June 30th when Pioneer Press‘ Charley Walters wrote, “If running back Cam Akers, recovering from Achilles surgery last November, passes an upcoming physical, look for the free agent to re-sign with the Vikings.”
The ESPN transaction page denoted the move three days later.
The alleged re-signing made sense because Minnesota could stand to add some depth to the RB section of its depth chart. These are the Vikings’ tailbacks right now, excluding Akers: Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, DeWayne McBride, and Kene Nwangwu. Akers as RB3 would put a bow on the purple offseason, at least per running back depth.
Now, however, Akers in Minnesota has returned to a total mystery status. If he landed a contract in Houston, Akers would battle these halfbacks for a 53-man roster spot at training camp and in the preseason:
- Joe Mixon
- Dameon Pierce
- Dare Ogunbowale
- Jawhar Jordan
- J.J. Taylor
- British Brooks
Akers became a Viking via trade in September, a depth piece to the Vikings’ running backs behind Alexander Mattison and the aforementioned 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.
Minnesota ranked 27th leaguewide per rushing DVOA in 2023, a terrible mark after emphasizing ground-game improvement all last offseason. Eyeing 2024, the Vikings will presumably prioritize improvement again in that aspect of the offense, and adding depth cannot hurt. That’s why fans were happy to see the would-be Akers addition via ESPN on July 2nd.
Overall, while Akers could still return to the Vikings, ESPN’s reporting either wasn’t accurate, or he failed his physical, and everyone was utterly silent about it.
Akers turned 25 in June. Houston already employs former Vikings Danielle Hunter, Stefon Diggs, Case Keenum, and Kris Boyd.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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