The Minnesota Vikings acquired running back Cam Akers from the Houston Texans on Tuesday. Minnesota traded a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick as part of the deal, and Houston included a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder.
The trade will be complete once Akers passes a physical.
Akers, 25, will fortify the Vikings’ running back depth. A couple of weeks ago, Aaron Jones, who has been exceptional as Minnesota’s starting running back, exited the matchup against the New York Jets in London with a hip injury. He is currently considered “week to week,” according to coach Kevin O’Connell.
Before Tuesday’s trade, the Vikings’ depth at running back consisted only of third-year back Ty Chandler and veteran Myles Gaskin. Akers, who has familiarity with O’Connell dating back to their shared time in Los Angeles with the Rams, adds to the Vikings’ available options in the event Jones misses time.
A few weeks ago, before a Vikings matchup with the Texans, O’Connell was asked about Akers. He said then: “Cam is a unique, special and talented person. To deal with the adversity he has in his young career, and never once have you heard him feel sorry for himself. Incredibly tough player, both mentally and physically.”
The #Vikings have acquired RB Cam Akers in a trade with the Texans.
The completion of this trade is pending Akers passing a physical.
📰: https://t.co/QJjlio4yhK pic.twitter.com/DuDc8DYy9Y
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 15, 2024
Akers returns to Minnesota
Akers tore his right Achilles tendon in 2021 and returned to play the following season. Last September, similarly needing depth at the position, the Vikings acquired Akers. He played six games, rushing for 3.6 yards per carry, then tore his left Achilles. The Vikings explored re-signing him this offseason, but Akers ultimately landed in Houston.
Akers’ familiarity with O’Connell’s system, and the chance that Jones misses Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions, creates an avenue for Akers to play for Minnesota as soon as this weekend. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer
Texans’ sudden RB depth allows them to part with Akers
With Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce healthy, the Texans suddenly had a surplus at running back. So, Houston is likely comfortable parting with Akers.
Akers, who signed with the Texans in July, brought experience and intrigue to the team at a time when RB2 was a major question. He dazzled during the preseason and contributed to Texans wins over the Bills (nine carries for 42 yards and a touchdown) and the Jaguars (13 carries for 53 yards) during the regular season. But Houston’s running game has been lackluster overall, a problem the Texans hope will be solved by Mixon and Pierce staying healthy.
Dare Ogunbowale’s emergence in the backfield also likely made the decision to trade Akers easier for Houston. — Adam Coleman, NFL writer
Required reading
(Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images)
