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Head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Akers underwent an MRI that confirmed he sustained a torn left Achilles' tendon in Sunday's 31-28 win over Atlanta, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Akers showed some promise during his six appearances with the Vikings following a September trade with the Rams, rushing 38 times for 138 yards and a touchdown while securing 11 of 12 targets for 70 yards. However, his season will be cut short due to the second Achilles injury of his career, after he previously missed most of the 2021 season after rupturing his right Achilles' tendon in an offseason workout. Akers is slated to become a free agent during the offseason, and though he drew praise from O'Connell during his brief time with the club, he's unlikely to be a high-priority signing for the Vikings or another team while he makes his way back from another major injury. His absence for the rest of the 2023 campaign paves the way for Alexander Mattison to serve as Minnesota's clear lead back moving forward, while Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu also could see increased snaps out of the backfield in change-of-pace roles.
