EAGON, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have acquired Cam Acres for the second time in 12 months, this time from the Houston Texans in an exchange of 2026 conditional draft picks, the team confirmed Tuesday.
As part of the deal, the Vikings will send a conditional 2026 sixth-round draft pick to the Texans in exchange for a conditional 2026 seventh-round draft pick.
Akers has started two games for the Texans this season, including in Week 3 against the Vikings in place of injured Joe Mixon and Damion Pierce. In that game he rushed nine times for 21 yards and totaled 147 yards and a touchdown on 40 carries. His time in Houston.
Acres became expendable as both Mixon and Pierce returned to the Texans.
The short-term status of Vikings starter Aaron Jones is uncertain due to a right groin injury. Ty Chandler is Jones’ backup and will start Sunday against the Detroit Lions if Jones is unable to play, but Akers gives the Vikings better depth than current No. 3 running back Miles Gaskin.
Akers has a long history with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, as the three spent time together with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and 2021.
The Vikings first acquired Acres from the Rams two weeks into the 2023 season. He played in six games behind starter Alexander Mattison, rushing for 138 yards and 38 touchdowns in Week 9 after tearing the tendon in his left heel. He tore the ligament in his right heel while with the Rams in 2021.
The Vikings tried to re-sign him before training camp this summer, but he chose to join the Texans instead.
“I love Game Acres,” O’Connell said last month. “Cam is a unique, special and talented person. You never hear him feel sorry for himself, to overcome adversity in his young life. An incredibly tough player, mentally and physically. … I have a great relationship with him and I’m very fond of him. Be considerate.”
