“Other” former Viking could have a revenge match this week

The Houston Texans employ a handful of prominent former Minnesota Vikings players, including Danielle Hunter, Stefon Diggs and Case Keenum.

“Other” former Viking could have a revenge match this week

But don’t forget the “other” guy – running back Cam Akers.

Texans running backs Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce are battling injuries this week and are questionable for Sunday's game at the time of this writing. Almost automatically, Akers could be the next man up against his 2023 team, the Vikings.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweeted on Wednesday: “[R]With Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce out, running back Cam Akers is preparing for a bigger role in the game against his former team, the Vikings.”

Mixon, Houston's RB1, is dealing with a sprained ankle, an injury that doesn't typically heal quickly. If he can't play and Pierce is limping, Akers is perfectly capable of handling an increased load at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Vikings.

Akers became a Viking via a trade in September and filled out the Vikings' RB lineup behind Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler. In total, he had 49 touches for 208 yards from the offensive zone. In Week 8, he even scored Minnesota's first rushing touchdown of the 2023 season. Yes, it took the team that long. Akers tore his Achilles tendon a week later.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell said of Akers after his Achilles tendon tear in November: “Cam was phenomenal in our locker room, on the field and with our team. He enjoyed being a part of it.”

Even in the offseason, there was mystery surrounding Akers and the Vikings this summer. ESPN's transactions page reported in early July that Akers had signed a new contract in Minnesota, but the team never confirmed anything of the sort. People wondered if Akers was actually on the team, but on July 22, Akers signed with the Texans and had no issues with the physical.

Overall, Akers has amassed 1,936 yards from scrimmage on 444 touches for 4.4 yards per touch and 12 touchdowns in five NFL seasons. His career trajectory is also notable because NFL players rarely recover from two separate Achilles tendon injuries.

Minnesota has Myles Gaskin on the roster this season for the “Cam Akers role,” a man who was promoted from the practice squad on Wednesday. The Vikings' running offense ranks sixth according to DVOA after two games, a significant improvement after the franchise ranked 27th by the same metric in 2022 and 2023.

The Texans are expected to beat the Vikings by a point or two this weekend – and Akers could potentially do his part to make that happen.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube channel. VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis and opinions on all things purple team related, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Viking obsession dates back to 1996. Listed secret passions: Peanut butter ice cream, “The Sopranos,” Basset Hounds and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information from OverTheCap.com.