The Minnesota Vikings have made a significant roster change by moving on from running back Cam Akers, a player who was once a favorite of head coach Kevin O’Connell. This decision comes after the Vikings activated center Ryan Kelly from injured reserve, necessitating the opening of a roster spot. The team opted to cut Akers just before a critical divisional matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Akers, who joined the Vikings after a trade during the 2023 season, has seen a dramatic fluctuation in his NFL career. Just a year ago, he played a pivotal role in a game against the Packers, catching a game-clinching pass from quarterback Sam Darnold. However, his time with the Vikings came to an end after he struggled this season, recording just five carries for 19 yards and failing to secure his only target in the passing game across three games. He found himself behind fellow running backs Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott on the depth chart.
The Vikings had signed Akers in September as a free agent after he became available post-preseason, allowing them to bring him in without the need to sacrifice any draft picks. Initially, when starter Aaron Jones was sidelined, Akers was elevated for limited game participation, but the team ultimately decided to move on from him.
Akers, originally a second-round pick in 2020 by the Los Angeles Rams, had a promising start to his career, rushing for 625 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie year. He showed resilience in overcoming a significant injury — a torn Achilles tendon — that he sustained before the 2021 season, making a remarkable return to help the Rams win the Super Bowl under O’Connell’s guidance as offensive coordinator. Nonetheless, repeated injuries and inconsistent performance led to his departure from the Rams and subsequent trade to the Vikings.
Despite the disappointing end to his time in Minnesota, Akers, now 26, remains a potential asset for other teams struggling with their running back depth as the regular season approaches its conclusion. His familiarity with offensive concepts and ability to adapt on the fly, as noted by O’Connell, could make him an appealing option for teams in need of support in their backfield.