Texans’ Cam Akers preps for starting role with Joe Mixon, sidelined: ‘Don’t got to get ready when you stay ready’

HOUSTON – Cam Akers completed a resurgent comeback from two torn Achilles tendons, qualifying himself as something of a medical marvel and earning himself a roster spot with the defending AFC South champion Texans.

Now, Akers is preparing for an increased role as the primary running back Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, his former team.

Akers took the first-team snaps Wednesday with starter Joe Mixon sidelined due to an ankle injury that could prevent him from playing this week along with backup running back Dameon Pierce with a minor strained hamstring. Neither of the running backs’ injuries are regarded as long-term, per league sources.

“You don’t got to get ready when you stay ready,” Akers said. “So, I’ve been preparing for this moment. I’m ready for it. I’m ready to take advantage.”

Akers, in relief of Mixon on Sunday night against the Chicago Bears, rushed for a team-high 32 yards on seven carries as he averaged 4.5 yards per run and had a long run of 13 yards he punctuated with a tough stiff-arm. Akers lost a fumble in the red zone on an unpenalized helmet-to-helmet shot.

Akers could have re-signed with the Vikings this offseason after tearing his Achilles tendon last year. However, he preferred his opportunity with the Texans.

“A lot went into it, but I’m happy to be here,” Akers said. “I’m happy for the opportunity (Vikings) gave me when I was with them. So, it’ll be fun. Be fun to go back and see those guys and ultimately compete against them.

“It’s going to feel great. It’s just another game. Obviously, I’ve got history there, but it’s still another game. It’s the next one up. So, I just want to put on a show.”

Signed to a one-year minimum contract after a successful workout in July, the Mississippi native was once the top-ranked running back in the nation coming out of high school before signing with Florida State.

With his elusive moves and stiff-arm ability, Akers has made an impression on the Texans organization.

“Cam has run the ball well, as we’ve seen,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’did a good job for us, so we’ll see where Cam is as we go throughout the week.”

During the preseason, Akers excelled as he trucked Los Angeles Rams defensive back Jason Taylor in the final preseason game.

“Just big boy football, you know what I mean?” Akers said. “Going out and making a play. JV. Varsity. I’m varsity.”

Akers, 25, is a 5-foot-10, 217-pound runner who entered this season with 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 four career fumbles.

The Texans’ multidimensional running back continued to prove in his point, serving notice that he’s back and has regained his old playing form. He rushed for a team-high 53 yards on seven carries and caught three passes for 19 yards on four targets for 72 yards of total offense against the Rams.

Arguably, Akers’ most eye-catching play looked like a video game sequence only it was real. Akers took a handoff and put the Rams’ defense in the spin cycle as he spun around three Rams to pick up a first down. Three consecutive spin moves, including twice around befuddled linebackers Zack VanValkenburg and Elias Neal and defensive back Tre Tomlinson, got the job done.

Before Akers even joined the Texans, he was in Houston training with elite trainer Justin Allen. He was already purchasing a home because he wanted to live in this area.

“I was already buying a house before I got the call to go to work,” Akers said. “It feels like home.”

Working behind Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, Akers has made it a point to learn from him. Now that he’s shown what he can do, it’s out of his hands and up to the coaching staff to make a decision. He would love to keep playing here.

“I leave it in God’s hands,” Akers said. “Just tell me where to go to work. The camaraderie, the culture, it’s winning culture here. You got everybody from top to bottom, everybody wants to win. Everybody has got one common goal, so it’s easy to fall in line.”

Deeply spiritual, the former Florida State blue-chip recruit and Rams second-round draft pick attributes his remarkable comeback to his faith and hard work.

“Give all the credit to the good Lord above, you know what I mean?” Akers told KPRC 2 during an interview at NRG Stadium. “For allowing me to have a strong mind and a strong support system to be able to come back. It’s a small group to come back from that, and I’m happy to be a part of that group.”

Akers joined the Texans, whose running back position is headlined by Mixon, after considering rejoining the Vikings. The idea of playing for the Texans appealed to Akers greatly. The Mississippi native was already in town training with NFL and NBA elite trainer Justin Allen and was in the process of purchasing a home.

“I was here already, so it was like divine destiny, God’s plan,” Akers said. “So, I’m happy to be here. Hopefully, I can make it stretch.”

Akers finished the preseason with 114 rushing yards on 23 carries and caught eight passes for 61 yards with one touchdown.

Akers 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.

It’s been a long road back for Akers.

“I would say it has made me appreciate it more, you know what I mean?” Akers said. “Sometimes you can take for granted the ability that God has blessed you with in a situation where he’s watching over you. I’m putting my best foot forward.”

Akers lamented the lost fumble, calling it “unacceptable.” He’s determined to not have that happen again.

“I’m gonna take care of that,” he said. “I’m my biggest critic. Being overly hard on yourself, don’t do it.”

The Vikings’ defense, designed by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, is challenging.

“Flo does a lot of different stuff defensively,” Akers said. “He calls a lot of different schemes and they execute well. They’ve got some good guys over there, good defenders, good players. So, we’ve got to be on our game. We got to come out and go to work and make plays really early.”

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