Akers (coach's decision) is inactive Week 1 against the Colts.
Akers was given steady carries throughout the preseason, but looking back, that likely wasn't a great sign for his playing time prospects. The Texans will move forward in Week 1 with Joe Mixon as the presumed starter, and Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale available in a backup capacity. Even undrafted rookie free agent British Brooks made it to the active roster, although that's most likely due to work on special teams.
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Texans' Cam Akers: Leading rusher Saturday
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Akers took seven carries for 53 yards and caught three of four targets for 19 yards in Saturday's preseason finale against the Rams.
Akers was first player to record a touch in Saturday's exhibition, as the veteran tries to latch onto the Texans' 53-man roster ahead of the Sept. 27 deadline. The 2020 second-round pick was brought in for depth after starter Joe Mixon suffered an injury this preseason. The latter has since healed and was a healthy scratch Saturday, leaving any potential fantasy value for Akers in Houston in the rearview mirror.
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Texans' Cam Akers: Forty-one yards from scrimmage
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Akers carried six times for 17 yards and caught all three targets for 24 yards in Friday's 20-12 preseason win over the Steelers. He also returned one kickoff for 23 yards.
Akers followed up an effective Hall of Fame Game and is showing no ill effects of the knee injury that wiped out the second half of the 2023 season. The Texans added him to the roster when they learned Joe Mixon (quadriceps) was dealing with an injury, so his stay on the roster could last as long as it takes Mixon to heal. All of Akers' 15 offensive snaps came during the second half.
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Texans' Cam Akers: Signs with Texans
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Akers (Achilles) and the Texans agreed on a contract Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Akers worked out for Houston on Sunday, and the team must've seen enough from the running back, inking him to a contract ahead of their training camp beginning Tuesday. The 25-year-old suffered the second Achilles tear of his career in November, and it's unclear how close he is to being ready for full contact at practice.
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Cam Akers: Works out with Houston
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The Texans hosted Akers (Achilles) for a workout Sunday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Akers tore his Achilles for the second time in his career last November and finished the season on IR. Prior to the injury, the veteran tallied 167 rushing yards and a touchdown on 60 carries and added 70 receiving yards on 11 receptions over seven games between the Rams and Vikings. Houston is looking to add running-back depth behind starter Joe Mixon and backup Dameon Pierce, among others.
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Cam Akers: Not tendered by Vikings
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Akers (Achilles) wasn't tendered by the Vikings, making him an unrestricted free agent, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Akers suffered the second Achilles tear of his career in November, so he could miss most or all of the 2024 season. Once healthy enough to resume his NFL career, the 2020 second-round draft pick of the Rams will be free to sign with any team that shows interest.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Officially moved to IR
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The Vikings placed Akers (Achilles) on injured reserve Wednesday.
Akers is done for the 2023 season due to a torn left Achilles' tendon suffered during Sunday's win over the Falcons. Previously, Akers was forced to miss most of the 2021 season after rupturing his right Achilles' tendon, but he's now dealing with an issue on the left side. Akers impressed in his brief time with Minnesota, rushing 38 times for 138 yards and a touchdown while securing 11 of 12 targets for 70 yards in six appearances following his acquisition from the Rams. Now that he's rehabbing a career-threatening injury for the second time in his career, Akers could have to wait a while before signing with a team during the upcoming offseason, when he's scheduled for free agency.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: MRI confirms torn Achilles
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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.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Achilles' injury feared
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Coach Kevin O'Connell relayed after Sunday's 31-28 win over the Falcons that the Vikings believe Akers has an Achilles' injury, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Akers' injury was initially deemed an ankle issue, but it looks like the running back's Achilles is what's ailing him in the wake of Sunday's contest. If the injury is confirmed, it would be the second time in his career that Akers has hurt his Achilles. If he's forced to miss time, Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu would remain on hand to work behind Alexander Mattison in the Vikings' backfield.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Injures ankle Sunday
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Akers was forced out of Sunday's game against the Falcons with an ankle injury.
Prior to his exit from Sunday's contest, Akers had carried eight times for 25 yards and caught three passes for 13 yards. In his absence, fellow RB Ty Chandler is available to work behind Alexander Mattison.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Week 9 Early Waiver Targets (Add/Drop)
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Akers continues to play a role for the Vikings, and that role might only grow after Kirk Cousins' expected season-ending Achilles injury Sunday. Akers is still the clear No. 2 back behind Alexander Mattison, but he also now has consecutive games with double-digit touches and has gotten key work near the end zone each of the past two games, culminating in a touchdown Sunday. It might just be a committee in a bad offense, but Akers has enough of a role to be worth rostering in most leagues.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Scores first Minnesota TD
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Akers carried the ball nine times for 19 yards and a touchdown and caught his only target for six yards in Sunday's 24-10 win over the Packers.
While he didn't gain much real estate and saw seven fewer touches than Alexander Mattison, Akers' six-yard TD run in the first quarter was the biggest play either running back made in the game. Both backs could be in line for much more significant roles in the second half of the season, as Kirk Cousins left Sunday's contest with what could be a season-ending Achilles injury. Akers and the running game could be focus of the offense if rookie QB Jaren Hall is under center in Week 9 against the Falcons.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Workload boost in Week 7 win
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Akers rushed 10 times for 31 yards and brought in two of three targets for 30 yards in the Vikings' 22-17 win over the 49ers on Monday night.
One game after logging just two touches over nine snaps, Akers' involvement shot up to the highest it's been since his arrival in Minnesota. Akers' receiving yardage total was also a season-best figure and allowed him to outgain Alexander Mattison by a 61-42 margin in total yards on the night. The productive performance seemingly sets Akers up for another solid allotment of touches in a favorable matchup on the road against the Packers in Week 8.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Plays just nine snaps
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Akers had one carry for eight yards and one reception for seven yards on his lone target in Sunday's 19-13 win at Chicago.
Akers played just nine snaps on offense, which is lower than his previous two games with the Vikings. Alexander Mattison played on 43 snaps and had 18 carries for 44 yards. It was a little surprising Akers didn't get more opportunities with Mattison struggling with a 2.4 YPC. Akers could eventually challenge for more playing time, but the Vikings continue to use Mattison as the primary back even with underwhelming results.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Gets seven touches in loss
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Akers had five carries for 15 yards and two receptions for three yards on two targets in Sunday's loss to Kansas City.
Akers' share of the backfield work increased slightly in his second game with the Vikings, but Alexander Mattison remained the team's primary running back. Akers played on 21 of the offense's 73 snaps while Mattison logged 37. Mattison had eight carries and two receptions. Akers likely will remain in a similar role unless Mattison stumbles.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Posts 51 total yards in debut
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Akers had five carries for 40 yards and two receptions for 11 yards on two targets in Sunday's 21-13 win at Carolina.
Akers served as the backup to starter Alexander Mattison, as Ty Chandler didn't play any snaps on offense. Akers took over as the lead back on one series and played on 14 of the offense's 48 snaps, while Mattison played 33 snaps. Mattison had more touches (17 carries and one target) and was efficient with 95 yards at 5.6 YPC. It looks like Akers will have a backup role in the near term if Mattison remains effective as the primary back. However, Akers showed enough of a spark to press for a larger role.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Active against Carolina
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Akers is active for Sunday's game at Carolina, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
The Vikings acquired Akers before Week 3 and made him a healthy inactive for the loss to the Chargers. Head coach Kevin O'Connell said that he still views Alexander Mattison as the team's lead back, something that's unlikely to change in the immediate future after Mattison rebounded from a rough start to the season with 25 touches for 125 yards this past Sunday. Akers should move to the backup role, but how many snaps or touches he'll get in the offense is uncertain, especially with Ty Chandler also active against the Panthers.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Expected to play Week 4
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Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that he plans to have Akers active for Sunday's game in Carolina, Matthew Coller of PurpleInsider.com reports.
The Vikings acquired Akers last Wednesday and made him a healthy inactive for Sunday's loss to the Chargers. O'Connell said last week that he still views Alexander Mattison as the team's lead back, something that's unlikely to change in the immediate future after Mattison rebounded from a rough start to the season with 25 touches for 125 yards this past Sunday. A benching down the road is still possible, of course, and if nothing else, Akers will face soft competition for backup touches. The relatively unproven Ty Chandler represents the only other back currently on the roster.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Not playing Week 3
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Akers (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell suggested Friday that Akers wouldn't dress this weekend, so the running back's inactive status comes as no surprise. Minnesota wants to give Akers -- who was acquired from the Rams on Wednesday -- more time to get acclimated to his new organization, so he'll turn his sights toward making his NFL debut next Sunday at Carolina after getting in a full week of practice. Akers will likely be ticketed for a depth role initially, but he could emerge as the Vikings' lead back if Alexander Mattison's early season struggles continue.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Unlikely to play Sunday
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Coach Kevin O'Connell said Friday that Akers isn't expected to suit up Sunday against the Chargers, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Given that he was dealt from L.A. to Minnesota on Wednesday and passed a physical Thursday, Akers didn't have much time to get up to speed with his new squad, despite his previous experience working with O'Connell on the Rams in 2020 and 2021. Akers thus will set his sights on making his Vikings debut Sunday, Oct. 1 at Carolina. In the meantime, Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler will lead Minnesota's backfield.
