After Achilles injuries, Texans’ Cam Akers joins ‘super team,’ alters narrative: ‘I didn’t want that to be my story’

CANTON, Ohio – Cam Akers transformed a broken play into a spin cycle, and perhaps changed the routine narrative about what he’s capable of doing on the football field after a pair of torn Achilles tendons.

When Texans veteran quarterback Case Keenum scooped up a botched snap and swung the ball out to Akers out of the backfield, the veteran running back put on a show Thursday night in the Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears.

Akers delivered a nifty spin move in the open field to elude pursuit and pull off a 14-yard reception. Three plays later, Akers got open for a four-yard touchdown catch.

How Akers, a former standout on the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl championship team and a former Florida State standout and blue-chip recruit, maintained his determination to come back after two devastating injuries is a remarkable example of perseverance.

“I would say knowing who I am, knowing what God has blessed me to do and not settling,” Akers said. “I don’t want that to be my story: ‘Injury, and he didn’t come out.’ I want to come back and show who I am still. I didn’t want that to be my story.

“I’ve been doing that since I’ve been training with these guys in training camp, reminding myself, ‘You’re still you, you still have the same abilities after two Achilles injuries.’ I think it showed. It came full circle, and I want to keep going. I don’t want it to be a one-time thing. I want to keep working and work my way back and keep making plays.”

Akers generated 29 yards from scrimmage on a nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive. He rushed for 13 yards on five carries and caught two passes for 18 yards. He’s emerged as a definite factor in the Texans’ competition for the third running back job behind starter Joe Mixon and backup Dameon Pierce.

“Cam made a couple of nice plays that everybody saw, the plays that Cam made running the football and also with the receiving touchdown,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Cam has a very savvy way of slipping off of tacklers, making plays so I like where Cam was tonight and he showed some playmaking ability, which he has shown in the past, it’s just a matter of Cam continuing to get reps and build off when he’s done.

“Not surprised from Cam, he’s done it in the past for a long time. So, I’m not surprised by what he’s done. I think it’s all about him just getting healthy and getting his feet back under him, getting back in shape, but he has playmaking ability. He showed that really early in his career, it is just a matter of him just getting an opportunity.”

Akers, a former Rams second-round draft pick, also drew interest from the Minnesota Vikings where he played last season after a trade and suffering another torn Achilles. He played in six games and rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown, catching 11 passes for 70 yards.

Akers had been training in Houston with Justin Allen and wanted to be a part of the Texans, a defending AFC South champion and trendy Super Bowl contender headlined by Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud. And Akers like the winning culture the Texans are building under Ryans’ leadership.

“The opportunity was like no other, the team is like no other,” Akers said. “I would say it’s a super team and whatever way I can work my way into a role here. It’s a super team. Everything is already in place. We’ve got the coaches. We’ve got the players, got the quarterback and the receivers and the defense. What don’t you have here? Running back, we got Joe. Everything is here. I just want to play my part.

“The first time I walked in the door, it was a winning culture. I feel like I was just walking into a winning team. I just want to keep it going and do my part to keep us winning, whether it’s motivate, make plays, whatever I got to do. I just want to be that guy.”

Akers, 25, is a 5-foot-10, 217-pound former Florida State standout who has rushed for 1,581 career yards, four yards per carry with 11 touchdowns and 38 catches for 320 yards and one touchdown.

In 2022 for the Rams, he rushed for 786 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns as he averaged 4.2 yards per carry. He has just three career fumbles.

He was traded to the Vikings for a sixth-round draft pick last year, rushing for 40 yards on five carries and catching two passes for 11 yards in his debut against the Carolina Panthers. He got hurt against the Falcons, tearing his Achilles, and was placed on injured reserve.

Akers signed a standard one-year, $1.175 million contract. He just wanted an opportunity, and he got what he was hoping for.

“Case was telling me all week be ready for the checkdowns,” Akers said. “I told him I would be reliable for him, and I was. As far as being on the team, I’m just grateful. I’m grateful for the opportunity to come out and show again who I am after two Achilles surgeries.

“Most people don’t get the opportunity. So, I’m just blessed. Giving all praise to the Lord. My first game back from an Achilles injury, getting into the end zone. It’s nothing but a testament to God.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com