Tag: Cam Akers RB1

Texans receive mixed grade on RB Cam Akers trade

One publication wasn’t the biggest fan of the Houston Texans trading away Cam Akers for a late-round pick on Tuesday.

The Houston Texans realized they could find value in trading away one of their running backs now that Pro Bowler Joe Mixon was back at full speed.

On Tuesday, that thought became a reality as Cam Akers returned to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

Some were a fan of the move, given that Akers would have been buried down the depth. Others, including Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, weren’t, giving the deal an overall “C” grade for Houston.

Meanwhile, Knox gave the Vikings a “B” since it was a cost-friendly contract for a player who previously played for them and has a great understanding of the offensive personnel.

“This is a less-valuable move for the Texans, though not altogether puzzling,” Knox wrote. “Houston saw the return of Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) in Week 6, and both played extremely well—each topped 75 rushing yards and found the end zone. The Texans also have a capable third back in Dare Ogunbowale.

While a team with Super Bowl aspirations can rarely afford to dump experienced depth—Akers appeared in five games with two starts this season—keeping him on the active roster for the next 11 weeks might not have been feasible.”

Perhaps the grade is a bit too harsh. Akers, who impressed during the preseason and earned a spot on the final 53-man roster, was a healthy scratch in Week 1 because there wasn’t a place for him. In Week 2, he only played because Pierce was dealing with a hamstring injury.

There’s also the role element. Akers doesn’t provide value on special teams. He’s a solid No. 3 option in the run game, but so is Ogunbowale, who also has been one of the better special teams players since joining the team.

A trade to the Vikings likely gives him an expanded role in their offense, espeically with Aaron Jones limited due to injury.

The Texans travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers this Sunday at noon CT.

Texans vs. Jaguars: RB Joe Mixon ruled out against Jaguars

The Houston Texans will be without their top running back, Joe Mixon, against the Jacksonville Jaguars as he rehabs his ankle injury.

For the second straight week Cam Akers will be the Houston Texans leading running back. Already without backup Dameon Pierce, Houston ruled out Joe Mixon with a sprained ankle.

Mixon returned to practice on Friday, sparking some optimism he may return. He arrived on Sunday as a game time decision, but will not be on the field as he continues to rehab the ankle injury he sustained in Week 2.

The former Pro Bowl running back left early in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears after linebacker T.J. Edwards committed what appeared to be a hip drop tackle, which was banned by the league in the offseason. Edwards received a $16,883 fine for the play.

Mixon rushed for a team-high 184 yards in the first two weeks, including a 159-yard debut in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. Since the Texans 213 yards in Week 1, they’ve totaled just 113 on the ground.

Akers will assume lead back duties again, after rushing for 21 yards on nine attempts. Akers is in first season with Houston after previous stints with the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings.

Houston also elevated running back J.J. Taylor from the practice squad to provide more depth behind Akers and passing down back Dare Ogunbowale.

Mixon and Tank Dell are two of the offensive weapons missing for quarterback C.J. Stroud, who will attempt to lift the unit after scoring just seven points a week ago.

Watch: Texans RB Cam Akers scores TD against Vikings

Cam Akers puts the Houston Texans on the board against the Minnesota Vikings.

Cam Akers played six games with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 before suffering a season-ending Achille tear. He never found the end zone while at U.S. Bank Stadium.

That statement is now false, although Akers didn’t score in a Vikings uniform.

The Houston Texans are on the board after a sluggish first half thanks to an 8-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to Akers. Entering the fourth quarter, the Texans trail by two scores.

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The Texans entered “urgency mode” after Minnesota went up 21-0 with 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Stroud, who threw an interception on the opening drive to former Houston linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, connected with Nico Collins for a 34-yard pickup on third-and-11 from the Minnesota 47 to land inside the red zone.

Akers, who hadn’t scored since Oct. 29 against the Green Bay Packers, evaded a tackle against Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. and punched it for six points.

That was the version of the Texans that set a standard in Week 1’s win against the Colts. Collins, who only had one reception in the first half, has been the vertical threat downfield for Houston’s offense through three games.

The Texans must see more of that version if they plan to mount a comeback in the final 15 minutes of action.

Texans vs. Vikings: RB Cam Akers makes first start since 2023

For the first time in over a year, Houston Texans running back Cam Akers is starting a football game.

For the first time since Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season, Cam Akers is starting at running back.

The best part? It’s against his former team.

With the Houston Texans down two running backs, Akers started the game behind C.J. Stroud at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings. 

After a promising preseason, Akers proved he could still have value as a secondary runner despite coming off a torn Achilles. He led the Texans in rushing yards and scored a pair of touchdowns as the team’s top back against the Los Angeles Rams.

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After starting with Los Angeles in 2023, Akers was traded to the Vikings. He was in a groove as the No. 2 option before suffering a second torn Achilles on November 5.

Earlier this week, Akers said he was ready to start if given the opportunity.

“You don’t got to get ready when you stay ready,” Akers told reporters. “I’ve been preparing for this moment, and I’m ready for it. I’m ready to take advantage.”

The Texans are looking for their first start since 2012 and their first win over the Vikings in franchise history.

Is Sunday a revenge game for Texans RB Cam Akers vs. Vikings?

Houston Texans Cam Akers heads back to Minneapolis for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon.

With Joe Mixon’s status up in the air, the Houston Texans must look elsewhere for running back help.

The first name up? Former Minnesota Vikings starter Cam Akers was arguably Houston’s top tailback during the preseason.

And for those wondering why Dameon Pierce wouldn’t get a crack at RB1, he’s currently dealing with a hamstring injury and hasn’t been at practice for nearly a week.

Akers, who averaged 4.4 yards per attempt during the preseason, rushed for 32 yards on seven carries in last week’s win over the Bears after Mixon went out. He also lost a fumble at the goal line when Houston was driving toward icing the game in the fourth quarter.

During the open locker room session, Akers was asked about his thoughts on returning to Minnesota for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon. For him, there’s no reason to think of “revenge.”

“Obviously, I’ve got history there, but it’s just another game,” Akers told the Houston Chronicle.

Mixon, who suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s win, is listed as day-to-day. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans didn’t specify if Mixon would return to practice, but they’re not ruling him out heading into Thursday’s practice.

“We’ll take it day by day with Joe and his injury and see where he ends up at the end of the week,” Ryans said Wednesday. “Still holding out hope that he can make it.”

Akers, a former second-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams, has a strong understanding of Bobby Slowik’s zone-base rushing attack. Last season after being traded to the Vikings, Akers rushed for 138 yards on 38 carries and scored a touchdown before being placed on the injured reserve on Nov. 5.

When asked if he was ready for an increased role should Mixon and Pierce not play, Akers said he was.

“I don’t have to get ready when you stay ready,” Akers told the Houston Chronicle.  “I’ve been preparing for this moment.”

Kickoff from US Bank Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.