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The Vikings acquired Akers and a 2026 conditional seventh-round pick from the Texans on Tuesday in exchange for a 2026 conditional sixth-round pick, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Minnesota has now traded for Akers for the second season in a row, as the Vikings previously acquired him from the Rams last September. He made six appearances for the Vikings in 2023 before rupturing his right Achilles' tendon in November and requiring surgery, but Akers recovered quicker than anticipated from the major injury. After joining Houston on a one-year deal in the offseason, he made the Texans' Week 1 roster and suddenly found himself in a lead role out of the backfield by Week 2, when Joe Mixon exited a win over the Bears with an ankle injury. Dameon Pierce also missed time with a hamstring injury to free up snaps for Akers, who carried 31 times for 116 yards and a touchdown and added three receptions for 13 yards and another score between Weeks 3 and 5. However, with both Mixon and Pierce returning to action for the Week 6 win over the Patriots, Akers was limited to just two snaps. With its top two backs healthy and Dare Ogunbowale offering value on special teams and passing downs as a No. 3 option, Houston deemed Akers expendable and opted to move him to Minnesota, where he'll presumably compete with Ty Chandler and Myles Gaskin for a depth role behind lead back Aaron Jones (hip).
