The Minnesota Vikings (5-0) had a bye in Week 6. Their inactivity not just preserved their perfect record but also gave starting running back Aaron Jones extra time to recover from a hip injury. Jones sustained the injury during the Vikings’ Week 5 victory over the Jets.
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Injury analysts projected that Jones could return in Week 7, against the Lions. While there’s still a chance he suits up on Sunday, the Vikings have already taken a season-long insurance as a precaution.
During Tuesday’s episode of The Insiders, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Minnesota acquired running back Cam Akers from the Houston Texans. While initial reaction to the move created panic and speculation around the severity of Jones’ injury, Pelissero assured the Vikings fans the eight-year veteran was on schedule in his recovery journey.
“For anyone who has Aaron Jones in fantasy football: it was emphasized to me, this is not about any type of long-term health concerns… in fact, there’s a possibility he plays this week… [Akers] is just another running back who knows [their] system.”
Akers signed with Houston in free agency this offseason. He recorded 163 total yards and two touchdowns in six appearances – two starts – as a Texan.
Minnesota went back to the well with Akers
The Vikings, with Jones healthy, have a solid cast of running backs. However, including him, they had just three RBs on their 53-man roster. Now that they’ve officially morphed from expected rebuilders to apparent contenders, they needed a more proven option to supplement the position group.
In Akers, Minnesota get someone with experience playing under head coach Kevin O’Connell. Prior to becoming the Vikings’ HC, O’Connell was in the Los Angeles Rams organization. In his first year as their offensive coordinator, they spent a second-round selection on the former Florida State ball carrier.
It’s clear O’Connell developed a fondness for Akers in their time together. Last season, he convinced the Vikings’ front office to execute a late-round pick swap with the Rams to bring Akers to town. Then again today, they made an identical trade: a 2027 sixth-round pick for Akers and a 2027 seventh-round choice.
For the time being, Akers slots in as the third or fourth option on Minnesota’s depth chart. He’s definitely behind Jones and Ty Chandler, but his status in the pecking order with Myles Gaskin remains to be seen.
The Vikings host the Detroit Lions (4-1) in their first divisional home game of the season this weekend. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. E.T. on FOX.
