Minnesota Vikings Trade for Cam Akers Again, Strengthening RB Depth

The Minnesota Vikings have acquired running back Cam Akers for the second time in a year, finalizing a trade with the Houston Texans involving conditional 2026 draft picks, the team announced on Tuesday.

(Vikings Running back Cam Aker's)

As part of the deal, the Vikings will send a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to Houston in exchange for Akers and a conditional seventh-round pick in the same draft.

Akers, who filled in for the injured Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce this season in Houston, started two games, including a Week 3 matchup against the Vikings. During his time with the Texans, he rushed 40 times for 147 yards and one touchdown, though his performance against Minnesota was limited to just 21 yards on nine carries.

This marks the second time in 12 months that Akers has joined the Vikings. He was initially traded from the Los Angeles Rams to Minnesota in September 2023, but his season was cut short by an Achilles injury after just six games, during which he recorded 138 rushing yards and 70 receiving yards.

Akers, drafted by the Rams in 2020 when Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was their offensive coordinator, has tallied 1,728 rushing yards and 336 receiving yards over five NFL seasons. He played a key role in the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning run in 2021, leading the league with 67 rushing attempts that postseason.

The trade for Akers comes at a critical time for Minnesota, as their starting running back Aaron Jones Sr. may miss time due to a hip injury. Ty Chandler is expected to step in, with Akers providing additional depth.