Vikings acquire Cam Akers from Texans for running back depth

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Cam Akers #31 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 29, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. ((Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images))

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 5, but the Minnesota Vikings aren’t waiting that long to add to their roster after a 5-0 start.

The Vikings announced Tuesday they’ve acquired running back Cam Akers from the Houston Texans for a conditional 2025 draft pick. Akers had played in five games for the Texans this season and had 40 carries for 147 rushing yards and a touchdown, as well has four catches for 16 yards and a touchdown. Against the Vikings in Week 3, Akers had nine carries for 21 yards and one catch for eight yards.

Vikings return from bye hungry after 5-0 start

Vikings players Dalton Risner, Cam Bynum, Ed Ingram, Shaq Griffin and Jonathan Greenard spoke Monday from the locker room at TCO Performance center as the team returned from its bye week and is 5-0 on the season.

Why it matters

There’s some concern about the health of Aaron Jones after he injured his hip against the New York Jets in London, but Jones was on the practice field Monday at TCO Performance Center after the bye week. The Vikings traded for Akers last year, and in six games he had 38 carries for 138 yards and one touchdown. He also had 11 catches for 70 yards.

His season ended after tearing his Achilles. Akers has familiarity Kevin O’Connell and Wes Phillips, and knows the Vikings’ offensive system well.

The Vikings’ other running backs are Ty Chandler and Myles Gaskin. Chandler lost a fumble against the Jets, and Gaskin is largely on special teams.