RB Cam Akers returns to Vikings after trade with Texans

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have acquired operating again Cam Akers for the second time in 12 months, this time from the Houston Texans in an change of 2026 conditional draft selections, the crew confirmed Tuesday.

The Vikings will ship a conditional 2026 sixth-round draft choose to the Texans in change for a conditional 2026 seventh-round draft choose as a part of the deal.

Akers began two video games this season for the Texans rather than the injured Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce, together with one towards the Vikings in Week 3. He rushed 9 occasions for 21 yards in that recreation and totaled 147 yards and one landing on 40 carries throughout his time in Houston.

Akers grew to become expendable with Mixon and Pierce each returning for the Texans.

The short-term standing of Vikings starter Aaron Jones is unsure due to a proper hip damage. Ty Chandler has been Jones’ backup and would begin Sunday towards the Detroit Lions if Jones cannot play, however Akers offers the Vikings higher depth than present No. 3 operating again Myles Gaskin.

Akers has a protracted historical past with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, because the trio frolicked along with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and 2021.

The Vikings first acquired Akers from the Rams two weeks into the 2023 season. He performed in six video games behind starter Alexander Mattison, dashing for 138 yards and a landing on 38 carries earlier than tearing his left Achilles tendon in Week 9. He additionally tore his proper Achilles tendon whereas with the Rams in 2021.

The Vikings tried to re-sign him previous to coaching camp this summer season, however he selected to hitch the Texans as an alternative.

“I really like Cam Akers,” O’Connell mentioned final month. “Cam is a novel, particular and proficient particular person. To cope with the kind of adversity he has in his younger profession and by no means as soon as have you ever ever heard him really feel sorry for himself. Extremely robust participant, each mentally and bodily. … I’ve an incredible relationship with him, and care about him tremendously.”