Tag: Cam Akers

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.

Texans receive negative update on RB Joe Mixon’s status

Joe Mixon will likely not be suiting up for the Texans come Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Houston Texans were hopeful that running back Joe Mixon would be cleared for Sunday’s road game against the Minnesota Vikings.

As the team departs for Minneapolis, Houston must put its trust in veteran Cam Akers as the new lead back.

Mixon, who suffered an ankle injury due to an illegal hip-drop tackle in Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears, is listed as doubtful for Week’s matchup against the undefeated Vikings.

He’s currently listed as week-to-week moving into Week 4’s AFC South divisional matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Fellow running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) was ruled out on Friday’s injury report.

Mixon set the tone in Houston’s 29-27 win over Indianapolis with 159 rushing yards and a touchdown. He won AFC Offensive Player of the Week after averaging 5.3 yards per attempt.

During the third quarter of Sunday’s home opener, Chicago linebacker T.J. Edwards used his body to bring down Mixon. Earlier this offseason, the NFLPA banned the tackling technique because of the higher-than-normal injury rate it causes.

The Texans plan to send the video to the league office for further review after officials ruled it a clean hit. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said after further review, it was clear Edwards turned his body to make the illegal hit.

Akers, a former second-round pick out of Florida State, took over for Mixon in the fourth quarter. He rushed for 32 yards on seven carries, but also had a fumble.

As one of the top preseason stars, Akers proved to be a valuable asset for Houston’s ground game in August. Injuries have derailed his promising career. In 2021, he suffered an Achilles tear as a member of the Rams.

After being traded to Minnesota last season, he suffered a second Achilles tear in early November.

Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said he remained confident in Akers, given his knowledge of the offensive personnel from his time in Los Angeles and Minnesota.

“He’s been running — ran zone scheme he came from — he did the same thing in Minnesota,” Slowik said Thursday. “He’s really good at reading that, we call it riding the wave, finding the right hole to hit. He always plays under control. When he sees it, he hits it. He finishes physical. And he has really good contact balance and I’d say those are the things that jump out with Cam.”

Houston is looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2012. Kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is scheduled for noon CT.

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.

Texans vs. Colts inactive list: WR John Metchie, RB Cam Akers Out

John Metchie III and Cam Akers highlight players who will not participate in Sunday’s contest against the Indianapolis Colts.

John Metchie III was a standout in the preseason. He won’t be a stud in Sunday’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Metchie and running back Cam Akers were ruled inactive for Week 1 as the Houston Texans take on the Indianapolis Colts. Other inactive players for the Texans include linebacker Jamal Hill, defensive back M.J. Stewart and offensive tackle Nick Broeker.

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Metchie, a 2022 second-round pick out of Alabama, was on the bubble during training camp, yet came away as one of the top performers. He led the Texans with six catches for 76 yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants in Week 2 of the preseason.

Metchie finished with 11 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in four preseason games. Xavier Hutchinson, who led the Texans in receptions and receiving yards this preseason, will have a substantial role in the passing game.

Akers was perhaps the top breakout player of Texans’ training camp en route to making the active 53-man roster. He remained consistent on the ground and piled drive up the pecking order by averaging 4.3 yards per attempt.

Akers also was effective in the passing game. In the Hall of Fame game against Chicago, he caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Case Keenum.

With Akers out, the Texans will turn to a combination of Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce earn off day in Texans preseason finale

Despite an inefficient preseason, Dameon Pierce appears on his way to making the Houston Texans roster after earning an off day against Rams

Despite his inefficiencies, Dameon’s Pierce spot on the Houston Texans roster seems secure after earning an off day along with starter Joe Mixon during the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams.

Houston will use running backs, Cam Akers, Jawhar Jordan, Dare Ogunbowale, British Brooks and J.J. Taylor. Akers will be the first on the field.

It’s unclear how many running backs Houston will keep on the active roster. Akers has been the biggest riser in training camp after rushing for 59 yards on 17 attempts and catching five passes for 42 yards with a touchdown.

Ogunbowale appeared to be the favorite for the third running back spot entering camp and he may still earn a roster spot for his special teams contributions alone. He’s rushed for 28 yards and a touchdown on eight carries with an additional 21 yards receiving.

Among the trio, Taylor leads the group with 55 rushing yards, averaging 4.6 per attempt. Jordan proved to be a capable receiving back a week ago with 42 yards on four catches.

Texans: Is Cam Akers the favorite to win RB No. 2 role?

Cam Akers has been the Houston Texans’ breakout star on offense and have already locked up a spot on the final 53-man roster.

Cam Akers slipped past a New York Giants defender and headed off to the races on Saturday at NRG Stadium.

When he initially signed with the Houston Texans, no one knew what to expect from the 2020 second-round pick. Despite being one of the more sought-after high school recruits in the nation, injuries had hindered Akers’ success through four NFL seasons.

In Saturday’s 28-10 win over New York, Akers looked like the version of himself that served as the anchor of the ground-and-pound attack while at Florida State. He swiped past three defensive linemen to pick up 15 yards and the first down.

Entering the final week of the preseason, Akers looks as if he’s also swiped a roster spot on the Texans’ 53-man roster.

“It’s crazy to think through all the stuff that he’s gone through and he’s still able to ball like that,” tight end Dalton Schultz said Monday. “It’s fun man. It’s fun to watch him run and he’s a great teammate, great guy, smart player. I think having that in the room is good for us.”

Akers’ preseason success might not show itself in ways such as C.J. Stroud’s passing or Danielle Hunter’s pressure rate. He’s only totaled 59 rushing yards on 17 attempts in three games.

Of course, most players on the Texans’ roster aren’t coming off a torn Achilles. Few players in the NFL have lasted long enough to suffer two Achilles injuries in either leg.

But Akers, who showed promise with both the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings in four seasons, has provided the same upside as a secondary runner and pass-catcher in the preseason. On top of leading Houston in rushing, Akers has added value in the short-passing game with five catches for 42 yards.

“He’s been playing at a high level since I can remember watching him in college,” Stroud said following Saturday’s win. “So, it’s nothing that he changed. I think he’s a little more focused now and just knows what he needs to do to get on the team. He’s been working from there.”

Recently acquired Joe Mixon is expected to see a bulk of the carries in 2024 after inking a new three-year., $27 million extension this offseason. He’s taken on the role of “bell-cow” back during his seven seasons in Cincinnati and should maintain that mentality entering 2024.

But the Texans’ offense was missing a spark on the ground to complement the 7th-ranked passing attack last year. Houston finished 23rd in rushing and often relied on short-yardage plays from Devin Singletary to put Stroud in a better position to pick up first downs through the air.

Akers fits what offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik looks for in his rushing attack. That was evident with his cutbacks, vision and open-field speed on Saturday while working upfield to the second level of New York’s defense.

Slowik’s offense differs in ways from Sean McVay’s and Kevin O’Connell’s run designs, but the identities are similar. As his health continues to be restored, Akers expects to remain a constant for Houston’s rushing attack entering 2024.

As training camp winds down, few have gained as much ground in the race as Akers. Those around the building have also taken notice.

“I’m really loving his game and how patient he is, but he hits the hole at the same time,” Stroud said. “He’s a great back.”

Texans: Joe Mixon will start at RB, but who is the No. 2 option?

With just one preseason game remaining, the role of RB No. 2 in the Houston Texans’ backfield might be a five-person race.

When the Houston Texans traded a seventh-round pick to acquire Joe Mixon from the Cincinnati Bengals, it was clear he’d take over for Devin Singletary as the new lead running back.

When Houston inked him to a new three-year extension worth $27 million, it was a sign he’d be the bell-cow back for years to come next to Pro Bowl quarterback C.J Stroud.

That hasn’t changed even with Mixon sidelined for most of training camp. He’s back at practice and will trot out with the first-teamers come Week 1 in Indianapolis against the Colts.

The No. 2 role, however? That battle comes down to this week’s practice and final preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

It won’t be an easy decision, either.

“It’s still a tight competition there in the running back room,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said following Saturday’s 28-10 win over the New York Giants. “We’re excited to see more, continue to see these guys next week.”

Dameon Pierce, Cam Akers, Dare Ogunbowale, J.J. Taylor and Jawhar Jordan are competing for the final three spots, each providing some value behind a couple of carries. And yes, the preseason won’t tell the entire story of how one fits with the roster.

Pierce, who nearly rushed for 1,000 yards in 2022, has offered little on gamedays, averaging 1.1 yards per run on nine carries. He’s looked polished in practice reps and shown explosivity when working behind Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil.

Tunsil didn’t play in Saturday’s preseason home opener for precautionary reasons after returning to practice for the first time since offseason workouts. Second-round pick Blake Fisher looked like a rookie facing a New York front that features three Pro Bowl talents.

The run blocking has been insufficient at best without the four-time Pro Bow blindside blocker opening lanes on the left side.

But is that a good enough excuse? Multiple other runners have found creases and crevices to break through for yards after contact, albeit against presumed backups.

Could they do it against starters?

“We can’t evaluate guys who aren’t out there,” Ryans said when asked about the limited success on the ground. “But overall, the way our offensive line ran off the ball, the way they moved people and created lanes for our backs, like you run the ball as a team.”

Akers has been a preseason constant, totaling 41 and 31 yards in his first two games back from injury. On Saturday, he put together his most consistent performance, averaging a team-high 4.8 yards per run with a long of 14.

Health has been the main concern for the former second-round pick. In four seasons, Akers has torn both his Achilles tendons and missed over 20 games due to injury, but he understands and fits in Bobby Slowik’s offense.

“His foundational work, I think, has been great in this offense, he’s been in this type of style,” Stroud said. “He’s going to continue to do great, and I’m really loving his game and how patient he is, but he hits the hole at the same time.”

Ogunbowale has been a special teams standout and reliable No. 3 option. He’s a favorite of the coaching staff because of his willingness to do everything.

Maybe Jordan offers a similar role but on an expanded contract? The sixth-round pick finished with 58 total yards, 42 of which came through the air during Saturday’s win while also seeing action on kickoff and the return game.

And Taylor, a favorite to make the practice squad if cut, showed his straight-line speed with a pair of first-down runs, including an 18-yard scamper in the third quarter.

Starters likely won’t see much action on Saturday, but Pierce must deliver. The same goes for Akers and Ogunbowale since Jordan and Taylor won’t go down without a fight.

A combination of inadequate blocking plus limited reps with the starting five has hindered the ground game’s growth. It’s better than what’s been produced and the drop-off from No. 2 to No. 5 is minimal at best.

With three practices left, that’s neither positive nor negative. It’s simply progress.

Texans RB Cam Akers proves there’s something left in the tank during Hall of Fame game

While the Houston Texans lost on Thursday night, Cam Akers’ stock won big in Canton, Ohio.

A simple play was enough to get the sidelines talking in Canton, Ohio on Thursday night and it perhaps caught more than the attention of Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.

During the second quarter of the Hall of Fame game, veteran quarterback Case Keenum took a botched snap and looked for his nearest target. Cam Akers waited in the flats to take whatever was flung his way.

From there, Akers had a choice: win with power or elusiveness. He chose the latter, spinning inside to make a pair of Chicago Bears defenders miss while picking a gain of 14.

Social media was in a blaze. Stroud, the Texans’ franchise quarterback, was ecstatic on the sideline, hyping up his running back to keep a good thing going on the drive.

He did. Akers found the end zone three plays later on a 4-yard pass from Keenum to extend Houston’s lead to 10. And while the Texans fell short in a 21-17 loss against Chicago to kick off the preseason, Akers didn’t.

He was the Texans’ biggest winner.

“Cam made a couple of nice plays that everybody saw, the plays that Cam made running the football and also with the receiving touchdown,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Cam has a very savvy way of slipping off of tacklers, making plays so I like where Cam was tonight and he showed some playmaking ability, which he has shown in the past.”

A former 2020 second-round pick, Akers finished with 31 yards of offense on eight touches and scored a touchdown. He averaged 3.7 yards per carry and picked three first downs.

When healthy, Akers has been a sturdy option on the ground for the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings. Of course, health has been a significant issue, given that he’s torn his Achilles twice since being drafted out of Florida State.

The Texans knew when they signed him to a one-year deal this offseason. Through two weeks of practice, Akers seems to have left the injury bug in Minneapolis and Los Angeles.

“I’ve been doing that since I’ve been training with these guys, reminding myself, ‘You’re still you. You still have the same abilities after two Achilles injuries,’” Akers said. “And tonight, I think it showed. It came full circle, and I want to keep doing it. I don’t want it to be a one-time thing.”

Houston, which struggled to move the ball on the ground last season behind Stroud’s offensive showcase, tried to elevate its ground game this offseason by trading for Joe Mixon and drafting Jahwar Jordan.

The Texans also see potential in third-year running back Dameon Pierce, who didn’t play on Thursday night to make room for others.

But Akers, who elected to sign with Houston over Minnesota, might factor into the equation in the running back room. He wanted to be a Texan after training this offseason in Houston. He believes there’s a foundation strong enough to win more than a division title.

“I feel like I was just walking into a winning team,” Akers said. “I just want to keep it going and do my part to keep us winning, whether it’s motivating, making plays, whatever I got to do. I just want to be that guy.”

The Texans will practice for three days in Cleveland before traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers next Friday night.

Watch: Texans QB Case Keenum finds Cam Akers for Texans’ second TD of preseason

Houston Texans training camp addition running back Cam Akers took over his first drive that resulted in a four-yard touchdown grab.

The Houston Texans signed running back Cam Akers during training camp to add to its running back rotation. After watching Dare Ogunbowale and J.J. Taylor handle the initial snaps out of the backfield, Akers shined when he stepped on the field for the first time this preseason.

The former second-round pick hauled in a 4-yard touchdown from quarterback Case Keenum to extend Houston’s lead in the second quarter of the Hall of Fame Game. Chicago responded with a touchdown to give the 17-14 lead heading into halftime.

During the nine-play drive, Akers, who last played for the Minnesota Vikings, made six plays before finding the end zone for six points. He had four rushing attempts for 11 yards and two catches for 18 yards.

Akers’ first catch came on second-and-11, when a low snap led to Keenum dumping it off to the newly acquired back, who spun past a defender for a first down.

Akers is working back from an Achilles tear he suffered in Week 9 of last season against the Atlanta Falcons. It’s the second time since being drafted out of Florida State in 2020 that he’s torn his Achilles.

The Texans will kick off heading into the second half.

Texans training camp: RB Cam Akers makes debut in Houston

Cam Akers took the field for the first time in a Houston Texans uniform on Monday.

With Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon sidelined, everyone in the Texans’ running back room could elevate their rep count heading into the regular season.

That includes newcomer Cam Akers, who officially signed with the AFC South champions Monday morning before the start of practice. In a corresponding move, the Texans waived wide receiver Jared Wayne.

“We’ve added Cam, (and we’ll) see if he can compete,” Ryans said.

A second-round pick out of Florida State, Akers, 25, is coming off his second torn Achilles tendon within the last three seasons. Still, Houston sees him as a potential rejuvenation project, similar to other prospects who have spent a season at NRG Stadium in the past.

Drafted by the Rams in 2020, Akers tore his right Achilles before training camp began in 2021, yet managed to fight to push through rehabilitation to return and help Los Angeles claim its first Super Bowl title of the Sean McVay era.

Traded to the Vikings during the middle of last season, Akers totaled 138 rushing yards and a touchdown on 38 carries in six games before tearing his left Achilles in November. He also caught 11 passes for 70 yards.

Mixon, who finished with 1,410 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns last season with the Bengals, hasn’t practiced the past two days. While not expected to be out long, any time away from Mixon is an advantage for the remaining running backs.

Right now, Akers should compete with Dameon Pierce for the No. 2 running back spot. Mixon, who inked a three-year extension worth $27 million, isn’t in jeopardy of losing reps and plans to be a workhorse this season for an offense that lacked a consistent rushing element last fall.

“I feel very comfortable with where I’m at,” Mixon said Friday. “I think my role in the offense is very unique, and I’m definitely embracing everything that comes with it.

Pierce, who took first-team reps in Mixon’s absence, seems more lean and agile in his second season with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. After rushing for 936 yards in an impressive rookie campaign, the 2022 fourth-round regressed, averaging 2.9 yards per attempt on 145 carries.

Akers could also make the roster over rookie Jahwar Jordan and veteran Dare Ogunbowale with an impressive camp. He’ll have his first real test when the Texans take on the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame Game next week in Canton, Ohio.