Cam Akers back to Vikings after trade with Texans

The Minnesota Vikings have once again secured the services of running back Cam Akers, marking the second acquisition within a year, this time from the Houston Texans in exchange for conditional draft picks in 2026, as confirmed by the team on Tuesday.

In this transaction, the Vikings will provide a conditional sixth-round draft pick for 2026 to the Texans in return for a conditional seventh-round draft pick for the same year. Akers has started two games this season for the Texans, filling in for the injured Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce, including a matchup against the Vikings in Week 3, where he recorded nine carries for 21 yards. Over his tenure in Houston, he accumulated a total of 147 yards and one touchdown on 40 carries. With the return of Mixon and Pierce, Akers became surplus to requirements.

The immediate status of Vikings starter Aaron Jones remains uncertain due to a right hip injury. Ty Chandler has been serving as Jones' backup and is poised to start against the Detroit Lions should Jones be unable to participate. However, the addition of Akers enhances the Vikings' depth beyond current third-string running back Myles Gaskin. Akers shares a significant history with Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, having worked together during their time with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and 2021. The Vikings initially acquired Akers from the Rams two weeks into the 2023 season, during which he played in six games behind starter Alexander Mattison, amassing 138 yards and one touchdown on 38 carries before suffering a torn left Achilles tendon in Week 9. He had previously torn his right Achilles tendon while with the Rams in 2021.

The Vikings made an effort to re-sign him before the start of training camp this summer; however, he opted to join the Texans instead.

"I have a great appreciation for Cam Akers," O'Connell remarked last month. "He is a unique, special, and talented individual. Despite facing significant adversity in his young career, he has never once expressed self-pity. He is an incredibly resilient player, both mentally and physically. I maintain a strong relationship with him and care for him deeply."