Perhaps the odd man out in Houston, running back Cam Akers is headed back to a familiar team and coach.
The Texans are sending Akers and a 2026 conditional seventh-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2026 conditional sixth-round pick, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday. The Vikings subsequently announced the trade, which is official, pending a physical.
This is the second time in as many years that Akers has been traded to Minnesota. Last season, the Los Angeles Rams sent him to the Vikings. Akers played six games for the Vikings in 2023 under head coach Kevin O’Connell, who also coached the running back during his time in Los Angeles from 2020-21, before his season ended on injured reserve.
Vikings RB1 Aaron Jones is dealing with a hip injury, but the deal isn’t reactionary to any concerns with Jones, but rather the Vikings adding a back who knows their system, Pelissero added.
For the Texans, they have Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce back healthy, which resulted in Akers netting just two snaps during Houston’s Week 6 win over the New England Patriots.
Akers, 25, has 40 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown this season, along with a TD catch. He’ll look for a little more run in O’Connell’s familiar scheme.
