Familiar Face Set to Make Season Debut with the Vikings in Week 3

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Sep 20, 2025
Close-up of a Minnesota Vikings helmet during the 2025 NFC wild card game.
A Minnesota Vikings helmet is shown on the sideline during an NFC wild card matchup on Jan 13, 2025 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The detailed view highlighted the team’s colors and logo as Minnesota took the playoff stage in a high-stakes contest. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.

Minnesota is hoping the game can be a bounce back after a brutal loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, but it certainly won’t be easy against a Bengals squad that has started the year 2-0 with wins over the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Ahead of the game, Minnesota announced it will be elevating two players from the practice squad, including a name that will be very familiar to Vikings fans.

Two Players Elevated From Vikings Practice Squad

Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA;Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The Vikings announced on Saturday that both G Henry Byrd and RB Cam Akers will be elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

Akers, who initially signed with the New Orleans Saints this summer before being released in August, spent portions of both the 2023 and 2024 seasons with Minnesota.

After beginning his career with the Los Angeles Rams, Akers was traded to Minnesota after a slow start to the season from Alexander Mattison during his first season as RB1 .

Cam Akers runs after a catch for the Vikings while defended by Xavier Woods against the Panthers in 2023.
Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (31) turns upfield after a reception while being defended by Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) in the second half of an Oct 1, 2023 matchup at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The play added yardage as Minnesota battled on the road. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.

However, the season ended for Akers in the same way it would for a number of Vikings in 2023: an injury. Akers suffered a torn Achilles in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons after totaling 30 carries for 118 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings.

It was the second time he’d suffered a torn Achilles in his career after missing much of the 2021 campaign while he was still with the Rams.

Despite the injury, Akers came back in 2024 and played all 17 games. His season began with the Houston Texans before he was once again traded to the Vikings.

Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (27) runs with the ball against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Now, Minnesota is hoping Akers can once again provide veteran depth at the running back position after Aaron Jones went on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Jordan Mason likely will be the man to handle most of the carries on Sunday, but Akers almost certainly will get into the mix.

The Bengals and Vikings kick off at 12 p.m. on Sunday inside U.S. Bank Stadium.

Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.

Also Read:Vikings Playoff Chances Take a Sharp Turn
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By Josh Frey
Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To ... More about Josh Frey