The Minnesota Vikings have reacquired running back
The Minnesota Vikings have reacquired running back Cam Akers from the Houston Texans, marking the second time they’ve traded for him in the past year. The deal, finalized on Tuesday, involves an exchange of conditional 2026 draft picks, with the Vikings sending a sixth-round pick to Houston in return for a conditional seventh-round pick.
Akers, who started two games for the Texans this season due to injuries to Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce, made an appearance against the Vikings in Week 3. During that game, Akers rushed nine times for 21 yards. Overall, he accumulated 147 rushing yards and one touchdown on 40 carries while playing for Houston.
The Texans deemed Akers expendable with the return of their main running backs, Mixon and Pierce. Meanwhile, the Vikings are facing uncertainty with their starting running back, Aaron Jones, who is dealing with a right hip injury. Ty Chandler, Jones’ backup, is set to start against the Detroit Lions if Jones is unable to play. Akers’ addition gives the Vikings more depth at the running back position, especially with Myles Gaskin currently slotted as the team’s third option.
Akers has a strong connection with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, having worked with both during their time together with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and 2021. The Vikings initially traded for Akers from the Rams early in the 2023 season. In six games with the Vikings, he rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown on 38 carries before suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in Week 9. This injury marked Akers’ second Achilles tear, having previously torn his right Achilles with the Rams in 2021.
Despite the injury setbacks, Akers remains highly regarded by O’Connell, who spoke positively about him in a recent interview. O’Connell praised Akers for his resilience and toughness, both mentally and physically, noting how the running back has faced significant adversity in his career without complaining. The Vikings had attempted to re-sign Akers before the 2024 season, but he opted to join the Texans instead. Now, with Akers back in Minnesota, the Vikings hope to benefit from his experience and familiarity with their system as they look to strengthen their backfield for the remainder of the season.
from the Houston Texans, marking the second time they’ve traded for him in the past year. The deal, finalized on Tuesday, involves an exchange of conditional 2026 draft picks, with the Vikings sending a sixth-round pick to Houston in return for a conditional seventh-round pick.
Akers, who started two games for the Texans this season due to injuries to Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce, made an appearance against the Vikings in Week 3. During that game, Akers rushed nine times for 21 yards. Overall, he accumulated 147 rushing yards and one touchdown on 40 carries while playing for Houston.
The Texans deemed Akers expendable with the return of their main running backs, Mixon and Pierce. Meanwhile, the Vikings are facing uncertainty with their starting running back, Aaron Jones, who is dealing with a right hip injury. Ty Chandler, Jones’ backup, is set to start against the Detroit Lions if Jones is unable to play. Akers’ addition gives the Vikings more depth at the running back position, especially with Myles Gaskin currently slotted as the team’s third option.
Akers has a strong connection with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, having worked with both during their time together with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and 2021. The Vikings initially traded for Akers from the Rams early in the 2023 season. In six games with the Vikings, he rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown on 38 carries before suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in Week 9. This injury marked Akers’ second Achilles tear, having previously torn his right Achilles with the Rams in 2021.
Despite the injury setbacks, Akers remains highly regarded by O’Connell, who spoke positively about him in a recent interview. O’Connell praised Akers for his resilience and toughness, both mentally and physically, noting how the running back has faced significant adversity in his career without complaining. The Vikings had attempted to re-sign Akers before the 2024 season, but he opted to join the Texans instead. Now, with Akers back in Minnesota, the Vikings hope to benefit from his experience and familiarity with their system as they look to strengthen their backfield for the remainder of the season.