Akers could be in line for a drop in touches and snaps in Sunday's game against New England, as Dameon Pierce (hamstring) carries no injury designation into the and Joe Mixon (ankle) is listed as questionable on the Texans' injury report.
Mixon is the Texans' clear lead back when healthy, and if the team saw enough from him to keep him active Week 6, he should start after sitting out the last three games. Even if the Texans opt to give Mixon another game off, Pierce -- who had missed the previous four games -- could still work ahead of Akers as the top option on the ground. While Mixon and Piercer were both sidelined each of the previous three weeks, Akers earned at least nine carries in each contest, but he averaged just 3.7 yards per tote and scored two touchdowns while offering meager contributions in the passing game (three catches for 13 yards).