Houston Texans running back Cam Akers scored his second touchdown of the season on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, capping a day in which he had 42 rushing yards on nine carries and caught two of three targets for five yards. The fifth-year back scored on a 15-yard run in the first quarter, his first touchdown of longer than 10 yards since September, 2022. The Florida State product's fantasy relevance going forward, however, will be tied directly to Houston's injury report. Once starting running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is healthy enough to play, Akers' role surely will decrease. Houston travels to New England in Week 6.
Oct 6, 2024 4:28 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Cam Akers is trending toward drawing his third consecutive start in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. Akers has seized an increased role in the Houston backfield with both Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (sidelined). Mixon has already been ruled out for this week's contest, and while the Texans are leaving the door open for Pierce, he missed two of three practices this week and faces an uphill battle to play. Therefore, it's looking like Akers will draw the start for the third week in a row. He has posted limited results on reduced opportunities during that span, registering just 74 rushing yards, eight receiving yards, and one touchdown. On a promising note, Akers could fare better this week against a porous Bills run defense. Buffalo has allowed the second-most fantasy points and the second-most receptions to opposing running backs this year, positioning Akers in the low-end RB2 tier for Sunday's clash.
Oct 5, 2024 9:16 AM EST
Houston Texans running back Cam Akers had the backfield mostly to himself on Sunday in a 24-20 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, finishing with 53 yards on 13 carries without a touchdown or a catch. For the second straight week, the Texans were without starting running back Joe Mixon, thrusting the former L.A. Ram into spot duty. With the game on the line, however, running back Dare Ogunbowale drew the key target from quarterback C.J. Stroud, a one-yard touchdown inside the final minute. Akers likely will return to a backup role if Mixon returns in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills.
Sep 29, 2024 4:53 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Cam Akers and wide receiver John Metchie III are healthy scratches for Week 1 of the regular season against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Texans are rolling with starter Joe Mixon and backups Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale as their three RBs to open the year against the Colts. The 25-year-old Akers saw plenty of action in the preseason, but for now he'll just be RB depth in Houston and remains well off the fantasy radar. Metchie has plenty of talent but has been hurt by injuries so far in his NFL career, and the Texans now have a crowded receiver room that features Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Robert Woods and others. The 24-year-old is also battling for a position with Xavier Hutchinson and Steven Sims. Obviously, Akers and Metchie both belong on the waiver wire in your league.
Sep 8, 2024 12:18 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Cam Akers made the team's final 53-man roster on Tuesday, signing just a week after training camp had started. Akers doesn't present much value on special teams, so that means if he's active, he will be pushing for carries on game days to spell workhorse starter Joe Mixon. If the Texans opt to trade away presumed No. 2 back Dameon Pierce as well, Akers would become Houston's preferred backup and fantasy's clear-cut handcuff to Mixon. It's hard to envision Akers, 25, having much upside or standalone value this season, after rushing for a mere 2.8 yards per carry over 60 attempts and coming off his second career Achilles tear in 2023, but the former second-round pick is at least trending up this summer over Pierce.
Aug 28, 2024 3:00 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Cam Akers showcased his skills in the team's final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. He led the Texans' rushing attack with 53 yards on seven carries, averaging 7.6 yards per run. Akers also added three receptions for 19 yards, highlighting his versatility. Acquired to provide depth after starter Joe Mixon's preseason injury, Akers seems poised to secure the third-string running back spot, especially since backup Dameon Pierce did not see any action. Having played in a similar offensive system with the Rams, Akers may be well-suited for Bobby Slowik's zone-heavy scheme. Monitoring who becomes the backup if Mixon is sidelined could be crucial, as the starting running back for the Texans will likely hold significant fantasy value.
Aug 25, 2024 3:30 AM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce started the preseason game against the New York Giants but struggled to make an impact, managing only four carries for five yards. Pierce averaged a disappointing 1.3 yards per carry, failing to show any improvement from his previous performance. In contrast, Cam Akers, serving as his primary backup, ran for 29 yards on six carries, including a long of 14 yards. Akers, who was signed at the beginning of training camp, has quickly emerged as a legitimate roster contender, transforming from a camp body into a potential backup to Joe Mixon. His familiarity with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik's scheme has helped him catch up despite joining late. J.J. Taylor led the Texans' running backs with 36 yards on five carries, and rookie British Brooks scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns. However, with both Taylor and Brooks unlikely to make the final roster, the primary focus for the Texans will be the competition for Mixon's backup role.
Aug 18, 2024 4:08 AM EST
The Houston Texans' running back Cam Akers (Achilles) rushed five times for 13 yards and caught both his targets for 18 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Chicago Bears. He displayed quickness on a 14-yard reception that set up his touchdown catch. Akers is working to make a comeback with the Texans after suffering a torn Achilles tendon for the second time in three years, which cut his previous season short. Returning to the field just under nine months after the latest injury, which occurred in Week 9 of last season with the Vikings, is an impressive feat given the challenges of recovering from multiple Achilles tears. Akers is competing for the No. 3 running back spot with Dare Ogunbowale, rookie sixth-round pick Jawhar Jordan, and J.J. Taylor. None of these backs hold significant fantasy value unless Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce are injured.
Aug 2, 2024 4:07 AM EST
Free-agent running back Cam Akers (Achilles) agreed to a deal with the Texans. Houston hosted him for a workout on Sunday. Apparently, things went well, so he'll join a team that already has Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, and Dare Ogunbowale on the roster. Akers spent four seasons with the Rams before suiting up for the Vikings in 2023. He appeared in six contests for Minnesota, rushing for 138 yards and a touchdown off 38 carries, adding 11 receptions for 70 yards. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old is coming off his second Achilles tear. At any rate, Akers' anticipated volume should help keep him on the field, assuming he remains with the team come Week 1. However, his reduced workload won't earn him a spot on most fantasy rosters.
Jul 21, 2024 7:38 PM EST
The Houston Texans worked out veteran free-agent running back Cam Akers (Achilles) on Sunday, according to a source. The former second-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams has also drawn interest from the Minnesota Vikings, where he played in 2023 after a trade and suffering another torn Achilles. Akers played in six games last year in Minnesota and rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown, adding 11 catches for 70 yards. Houston also worked out RBs Deon Jackson and Miyan Williams earlier this week as they look for additional backfield depth behind Joe Mixon, Devin Singletary and Dare Ogunbowale, among others. The 25-year-old is going to need to prove he's fully healthy to get a shot as a depth option in the Texans' backfield, and he can be ignored heading into 2024 fantasy drafts.
Jul 21, 2024 1:04 PM EST
Free-agent running back Cam Akers appears to be looking to return to the National Football League, with the 24-year-old posting a video on X of himself working out. Akers was once considered one of the NFL's most promising young players. His best season was in 2022, where he finished with 786 yards and seven touchdowns off 188 carries. Unfortunately, after struggling to remain healthy during his career, the Rams, the team he played on for four seasons, cut ties by trading him to Minnesota. Yet, he barely made a blip on the fantasy radar before the Vikings eventually declined to offer him a new contract. With that said, Akers could find himself on a new team for the 2024-25 campaign. However, while his talent has never been much of an issue, he won't do anything for fantasy managers if he can't stay on the field, no matter where he potentially signs.
May 18, 2024 9:02 PM EST
The Minnesota Vikings declined to offer a restricted free-agent tender to running back Cam Akers (Achilles), meaning he is a free agent and can negotiate freely with any team. The former second-round pick was an exciting prospect out of Florida State in 2020 but after two Achilles tears in four years in the NFL, his career has struggled to get off the ground. Akers was traded to the Vikings from the Los Angeles Rams early in the 2023 campaign and rushed 38 times for 138 yards and one touchdown before suffering a major Achilles injury. The 24-year-old might get a chance to play elsewhere, but it'll likely be on a cheap, one-year deal. For now, he remains far from the fantasy radar. The majority of skill players do not recover well from an Achilles tear, never mind two.
Mar 13, 2024 4:55 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (Achilles) underwent an MRI to determine the extent of his Achilles injury that he suffered in the Week 9 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately, Akers is confirmed to have suffered a torn Achilles for the second time in his short NFL career. The 24-year-old tore his right Achilles in 2021 as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, and he tore his left Achilles on Sunday. Obviously, the former second-round pick will miss the remainder of the 2023 season, and his career could be at risk of being cut short. With him out of the picture, Alexander Mattison will remain the Vikings' starter. Ty Chandler is likely to assume the RB2 role once again.
Nov 6, 2023 2:12 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (Achilles) is feared to have torn his Achilles during Week 9 versus the Atlanta Falcons, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. He exited during the second half and was quickly ruled out, finishing the game with 25 rushing and 13 receiving yards. This is a tough break for the former Rams running back, who has now torn his Achilles twice through four seasons in the NFL. It's also bad news for the Vikings, who have struggled to stay healthy on offense. For the time being, Alexander Mattison will continue to lead the Minnesota backfield, while Ty Chandler backs him up.
Nov 5, 2023 4:51 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (ankle) exited during the second half of Week 9 versus the Atlanta Falcons. He was quickly ruled out, finishing the game with 25 rushing and 13 receiving yards. The injury appeared to be quite serious, and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero speculated that the former Rams running back might have suffered the second torn Achilles of his career. Look for head coach Kevin Stefanski to provide an update on Akers' status postgame. For the time being, Alexander Mattison will continue to lead the Minnesota backfield while Ty Chandler backs him up.
Nov 5, 2023 3:55 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers will be a risky option for fantasy managers in Week 9, as he reverted back to his role of RB2 in the Minnesota backfield in Week 8. After out-touching Alexander Mattison in the team's upset win over the 49ers in Week 7, Akers was out-touched 17 to 10 in the win over the Packers in Week 8. The former Los Angeles Ram faces a Falcons run defense allowing just 3.8 yards per carry this season, which makes him a risky FLEX-option at best for fantasy managers. Akers could see an increased workload if the Vikings want to take a run-heavy approach with an inexperienced quarterback under center, but it may be best to take a wait-and-see approach with the new-look Minnesota offense.
Nov 4, 2023 4:46 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers will look to build on his best performance with his new team in Week 8 as the Vikings visit the Packers. Akers handled 10 carries for 31 yards and caught two passes for 30 yards in the team's upset victory over the 49ers in Week 7. It is yet to be seen if the plan is for Akers and Alexander Mattison to continue evenly splitting touches in the Minnesota backfield, but Akers out-touching Mattison in a positive game script seems like something worth monitoring for fantasy managers. The former Los Angeles Ram could be on the FLEX radar if his workload from last week becomes a trend, but the presence of Mattison will most likely cap his upside.
Oct 27, 2023 5:23 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers is coming off a Week 5 performance where he totaled just 18 scrimmage yards on seven touches, so the former Los Angeles Ram will be looking to make more of an impact for his new team when they face the Bears in Week 6. With 14 touches in two games, Akers has been the clear second option in the backfield behind starter Alexander Mattison, so it is safe to leave the Florida State product on the bench until he can prove to have earned a more prominent role in the Minnesota backfield.
Oct 13, 2023 5:56 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers is making his debut for the team in Week 4 against the Carolina Panthers, and the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero says that we could see a lot of him on Sunday. Alexander Mattison is still the starter, but the Vikings are going to ride the hot hand in the backfield against the Panthers this weekend, especially if Akers shows something and is able to hold onto the football. Akers was acquired from the Los Angeles Rams before Week 3, but he didn't make his debut last weekend in the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Mattison has had a rough start in 2023, carrying the ball 39 times for 155 yards (4.0 yards per carry). Akers wasn't good at all in the season opener with the Rams, but a change of scenery could do him well and raise his fantasy value if Mattison continues to be mediocre.
Oct 1, 2023 1:09 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said it's too soon for running back Cam Akers to make his team debut in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday after the team just acquired him in a trade from the Los Angeles Rams earlier this week. Akers will likely be inactive with an eye toward playing in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers. Akers' fantasy value could be salvaged this year as a complement to Alexander Mattison after wearing out his welcome with the Rams, but fantasy managers must remember that the 24-year-old now has to learn a completely new offense in short order. Mattison will continue to operate as Minnesota's clear lead back this Sunday, with Ty Chandler serving as a change-of-pace option in the backfield.
Sep 22, 2023 2:40 PM EST