NFL

Vikings trade for Cam Akers amid Aaron Jones injury question mark

By
Dylan Svoboda
Published Oct. 15, 2024, 8:00 p.m. ET

Cam Akers is headed to Minnesota. 

The Viking acquired the running back from the Texans on Tuesday in exchange fo🐓r a con⛦ditional sixth- and seventh-round pick in 2026. 

The move comes as the Vikings’ startin💜g ball-car✤rier Aaron Jones deals with a hip injury. 

Houston Texans running back Cam Akers (22) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium.
Cam Akers runs with the ball during the first quarter of the Texans’ preseason win over the Rams. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Jones left Minnesota’s Week 5 win over the Jets and was described by head coach Kevin O’Connell as “week-to-week” during the team’s bye week. 

the Akers addition “isn’t a reflection of any long-term concerns” with Jones and that the veteran starter could play Sunday against t🐟he Lions.🎉 

Ty🐲 Chandler s♐truggled as the primary running back in Jones’ place after he left the game against the Jets, running for just 30 yards on 14 carries. 

Akers, 25, has enjoyed some success in O’Connell’s offensive scheme in the past.&nbs💦p;

He played under him when O’Connell was the offensive coordinator with the Rams in 2020 and 2021, and then again last 🍃season when the Vikings acquired Akers in another midseason trade. 

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) rushes with the football during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Aaron Jones runs up field during the fourth quarter during the Vikings’ 31-29 win over the Packers earlier in the season. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

“I love Cam Akers,” O’Connell said before Minnesota’s 34-7 win over Houston in Week 3. “I got a chance to be around him from his first day being an NFL player [with the Rams], coming off an unbelievable career at Florida State. Cam is a unique, special and talented person. To deal with the type of adversity he has in his young career, never once have you ever heard him feel sorry for himself. Incredibly tough player, both mentally and physically.”

After signing a one-year deal with the Texans over the offseason, Akers💝 has appeared in five games for Houston this season, running for 147 ꦅyards on 40 carries with a touchdown. 

He started two games in place of the injured Joe Mixon, rushing for 95 yards i⛎n both of those games combined. 

💝In five NFL seasons, Akers has run for 1,728 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Vi🧸kings are looking to stay undefeated when they take on divisional rival Lions𒆙 in Minnesota on Sunday. 

Minnesota is one of two undefeated teams along with the Chiefs, upsetting the 49ers, T🐻🤪exans and Packers en route to their perfect record thus far.