The Minnesota Vikings are bringing back running back Cam Akers of Jackson, Mississippi according to the Associated Press. On Tuesday, the Vikings acquired Akers from the Houston Texans with a conditional seventh round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft for a conditional sixth round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. We do not know at this time what the conditions are.
What we do know is that the Vikings have an issue at running back at this time. Aaron Jones currently has a hip problem, and is questionable on Sunday in a key division matchup against the Detroit Lions. It is expected that Ty Chandler of Nashville, Tennessee will get the majority of the carries for the Vikings while Jones is out. However, Akers could get some carries as well.
This is the second straight year that Akers is being acquired by the Vikings in a midseason trade. Ironically, it was the exact same trade they made with the Rams last year that they made with the Texans this year. In the deal, the Vikings also received a conditional seventh round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Rams receive a conditional sixth round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Just like last year, there were no reports at the time of the trade what those conditions were.
Akers previously played four seasons with the Rams from 2020 to 2023, Akers finished the 2023 season with the Vikings before signing with the Texans on July 22. So far in 2024, Akers has 40 rushes for 147 rushing yards and one touchdown, along with four catches for 16 receiving yards and another major score. The rushing touchdown was for 15 yards and came in a 23-20 Texans win over the Buffalo Bills on October 6.
