Akers is active for Sunday's game against the Lions after being acquired from the Texans on Tuesday, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Meanwhile, Myles Gaskin is a healthy inactive for Sunday's game. Akers will work as the No. 3 running back, but he may not see much playing time with lead back Aaron Jones (hamstring) set to play. Ty Chandler will work as Jones' backup.
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Vikings' Cam Akers: Traded to Minnesota
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The Vikings acquired Akers and a 2026 conditional seventh-round pick from the Texans on Tuesday in exchange for a 2026 conditional sixth-round pick, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Minnesota has now traded for Akers for the second season in a row, as the Vikings previously acquired him from the Rams last September. He made six appearances for the Vikings in 2023 before rupturing his right Achilles' tendon in November and requiring surgery, but Akers recovered quicker than anticipated from the major injury. After joining Houston on a one-year deal in the offseason, he made the Texans' Week 1 roster and suddenly found himself in a lead role out of the backfield by Week 2, when Joe Mixon exited a win over the Bears with an ankle injury. Dameon Pierce also missed time with a hamstring injury to free up snaps for Akers, who carried 31 times for 116 yards and a touchdown and added three receptions for 13 yards and another score between Weeks 3 and 5. However, with both Mixon and Pierce returning to action for the Week 6 win over the Patriots, Akers was limited to just two snaps. With its top two backs healthy and Dare Ogunbowale offering value on special teams and passing downs as a No. 3 option, Houston deemed Akers expendable and opted to move him to Minnesota, where he'll presumably compete with Ty Chandler and Myles Gaskin for a depth role behind lead back Aaron Jones (hip).
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Texans' Cam Akers: Loses playing time
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Akers had two carries for minus-1 yards in Sunday's 41-21 win over the Patriots.
As expected, Akers' role was significantly impacted by the returns of Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce. Akers was on the field for just two snaps, which came during Houston's final possession. He should considered the fourth running back behind Mixon, Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale, who played 18 snaps Sunday.
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Texans' Cam Akers: May lose lead back role Week 6
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Akers may not be the Texans' lead back Week 6 against the Patriots, if the report from Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston that Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is expected to play holds up over the next few days.
Pierce, who has been sidelined the last four games, practiced Wednesday in a limited fashion, but head coach DeMeco Ryans was optimistic about the running back's chances to play Sunday. "He's done a great job with his rehab process and he's back out working, so we're expecting to have him ready to go for the game," Ryans said. Akers and Dare Ogunbowale have shared the backfield snaps while both Pierce and Joe Mixon (ankle) were unavailable the last four weeks. Akers has posted modest numbers during that stretch, including a rushing touchdown, a receiving score and several red-zone touches.
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Texans' Cam Akers: Scores TD while splitting touches
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Akers rushed nine times for 42 yards and a touchdown while catching two of three targets for five yards in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Bills.
Dare Ogunbowale got the first five touches among Texans running backs, but Akers made the most of his first two opportunities once he checked in, breaking off an 11-yard run immediately followed by a 15-yard touchdown run. Neither Texans running back found much running room after that point, and while Akers finished as the team's leading rusher, he had only 11 touches to Ogunbowale's 21. If the Texans get Joe Mixon (ankle) or Dameon Pierce (hamstring) back against the Patriots in Week 6, Akers and Ogunbowale would likely both see reductions in usage.
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Texans' Cam Akers: In line for another start
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Akers is expected to serve as the Texans' starting running back due to Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) being inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills.
While Mixon and Pierce remain sidelined for their third and fourth straight games, respectively, Akers appears poised to lead the Houston backfield once again, with Dare Ogunbowale and J.J. Taylor on hand behind Akers for change-of-pace work. In the team's 24-20 win over the Jaguars last weekend, Akers carried 13 times for 53 yards and was not targeted in the passing game. Meanwhile, Taylor logged six carries for 18 yards and Ogunbowale rushed twice for seven yards and caught all four of his targets for 47 yards and a touchdown.
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Texans' Cam Akers: May have more competition Sunday
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Akers may be see Dameon Pierce (hamstring) added back to the Texans backfield Sunday against the Bills, as the latter is questionable to play in the contest, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
While Joe Mixon (ankle) will miss a third game in a row this weekend, Pierce put himself in a position to return for the first time since Week 1 after logging a limited practice Friday. If Pierce is active Sunday, he won't necessarily take on a large workload, considering Akers has been preparing for a third consecutive start, per Wilson. However, in such a scenario, Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale would be on hand for any RB reps that don't go to Akers. In Weeks 3 and 4, Akers combined for 22 carries for 74 yards and caught one of three targets for an eight-yard touchdown.
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Texans' Cam Akers: Trending toward lead role Week 5
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Akers is preparing to be the Texans' lead back Week 5 against the Bills, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Akers is poised to be the No. 1 back for a third consecutive game, as both Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) have been non-participants this week. Meanwhile, Akers, Dare Ogunbowale and J.J. Taylor haven't been listed on Houston's injury report. Akers has 106 yards on 29 carries (3.7 YPC) and caught two of four targets for 11 yards and a touchdown this season. That includes two red-zone carries and one target inside the 20-yard line, on which he scored.
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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: 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: 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: 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.
