Akers carried the ball 13 times for 53 yards in Sunday's 24-20 win over the Jaguars.
The veteran running back made his second straight start due to both Joe Mixon (ankle), and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) being unavailable, and Akers was a little more effective on the ground than he was last week. The receiving TD he used to salvage his Week 3 performance went to Dare Ogunbowale this time around, however. Akers' role and volume in Week 5 against the Bills will be dependent on the health of the two RBs ahead of him on the Houston depth chart.
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Texans' Cam Akers: Set to see added work Sunday
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Akers is expected to take on an expanded workload Sunday against the Vikings with Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) both inactive.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network relays that Akers is in line to get the starting nod Sunday, with Dare Ogunbowale, British Brooks and J.J. Taylor available as depth options behind him. Akers was inactive for Week 1 while completing his recovery from a torn Achilles' tendon but was productive in a backup role behind Mixon in the Week 2 win over the Bears, carrying seven times for 32 yards while reeling in his lone target for a three-yard gain, though he did fumble once during a key point of the game.
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Texans' Cam Akers: Preparing to start against Vikings
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Akers is preparing to start Sunday's game against the Vikings, as Joe Mixon (ankle) is listed as doubtful and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) has been ruled out, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Akers got seven carries Week 2 against the Bears, as Mixon spent part of the game in the locker room tending to his ankle injury and Pierce didn't play. The former Rams and Vikings running back rushed for 32 yards on those rushes but also lost a fumble by the goal line. Akers should get first crack at the lead role Sunday against one of his former teams barring the unlikely event of Mixon suiting up after all, but if ball security issues arise again, Dare Ogunbowale or British Brooks could get more opportunities at Akers' expense.
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Texans' Cam Akers: Could be headed for Week 3 start
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Akers took first-team snaps at practices Wednesday and Thursday while Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) sat out both sessions, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
A healthy inactive Week 1 despite completing his recovery from the torn left Achilles' tendon he suffered last November without any setbacks, Akers could suddenly find himself in a leading role out of the backfield for a potent Houston offense two weeks later. As Wilson notes, the ankle injury that Mixon suffered in the second half of last Sunday's win over the Bears isn't regarded as a long-term concern, but the back-to-back absences at practice make it increasingly likely that he'll be sidelined for this weekend's game versus the Vikings. Wilson adds that Pierce is also close to a return after sitting out the Week 2 contest, but he appears to be trending toward missing another game this weekend. While serving as the No. 2 back behind Mixon in Week 2, Akers was productive with seven carries for 32 yards and one catch for three yards, though he lost a red-zone fumble in the win. If Mixon and Pierce are both sidelined Sunday in Minnesota, Akers should operate as Houston's lead ballcarrier, but he could cede some passing-down work to Dare Ogunbowale.
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Texans' Cam Akers: Loses key fumble with Mixon hurt
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Akers rushed seven times for 32 yards, caught his lone target for three yards and lost a fumble in Sunday's 19-13 win over the Bears.
Akers got some extra opportunities as Joe Mixon spent part of the second half in the locker room due to an ankle injury and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) didn't dress. The former Rams and Vikings running back didn't make a good first impression in his Texans debut, as Akers fumbled on Chicago's 4-yard line when Houston was on the verge of putting the game away in the fourth quarter. Mixon and Pierce are likely to work ahead of Akers on early downs when healthy, while Dare Ogunbowale has a role in passing situations, but Akers could be thrust into a larger role in Week 3 against the Vikings if neither Mixon nor Pierce are able to play.
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Texans' Cam Akers: Active versus Chicago
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Akers is active for Sunday night's game against the Bears.
After being a healthy scratch in Week 1 against the Colts, Akers is in uniform versus Chicago, with Dameon Pierce (hamstring) inactive. He'll be in the mix -- along with Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks -- for complementary snaps behind top back Joe Mixon.
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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.
