Cam Akers knows all too well the pressure Houston Texans felt starting running back Joe Mixon and backup Dameon Pierce faced in Week 2.
Injuries to the Texans’ top two defensemen last week opened the door for Akers to practice this week as the No. 1 defenseman and potential starter when the Texans travel to Minneapolis to battle one of Akers’ former teams, the unbeaten 2-0 Vikings.
There’s no abridged version of how Akers arrived here, but his mere presence on an NFL roster at age 25, after twice tearing his Achilles tendon, speaks volumes about his relentless drive and perseverance.
Akers posted 32 yards on seven carries with Mixon (ankle), who was sidelined in last Sunday’s triumph over the Chicago Bears, and Pierce (hamstring).
The former No. 1 high school running back is playing on a veteran’s minimum contract to demonstrate, in his own words, “that I’m still who I am. I haven’t missed a beat.”
Akers spent part of last season with the Vikings after a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. He went on injured reserve in November and denies there was any extra motivation to dismantle Minnesota’s defense in a revenge play. He was too busy fixating on a goal-line fumble against the Bears.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans expressed Wednesday that Houston remains confident Mixon will be on the field in Minnesota. In training camp, Ryans praised the former Bengals running back as “as tough as our toughest player” when defending his durability.
If Mixon can’t play, Pierce may not be Houston’s best alternative due to an ongoing battle with hamstring soreness.
Talent has never been an issue for Akers. During a stellar career at Mississippi, he amassed more than 13,000 combined yards rushing and passing and 149 touchdowns. As a senior, he posted 2,105 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns and threw for 3,128 yards and 31 touchdowns while playing running back and quarterback.
Akers, a star at Florida State with 34 total touchdowns and two 1,000-yard seasons, joined the Rams in the second round of the 2020 draft. He concluded his rookie season with a flourish, rushing for 221 yards and two touchdowns in two playoff games, but tore his Achilles tendon a week before training camp commenced. He made an astonishing comeback just five months later and played in the Week 18 Christmas Day game against the San Francisco 49ers, proving himself playoff-worthy.
He went on to start, gaining 13 carries for 21 yards, in the Rams’ 23-20 Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Akers requested a trade a month into the 2022 season due to limited involvement, then worked his way back into the lineup and had a three-touchdown game in the first of three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances. He started Week 1 of 2023 but only managed 29 yards on 22 carries and was inactive in Week 2, initiating his departure from Los Angeles. Subsequently, he was traded to the Vikings in September for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft.
After six games with the Vikings, Akers unfortunately tore his left Achilles tendon.
On Sunday, he vowed to be ready if another opportunity arose.
“He’s been playing at a high level since I saw him in college. He’s a little more focused,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said of his early impressions of Akers. “His groundwork has been great. I love his play, his patience and how fast he can hit the ball at the same time.”
Akers isn’t the only player who needs close observation in Week 3. Here are a few others likely to fill larger roles:
— Broncos wide receiver Alex Palczewski (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Mike McGlinchey’s injury late in the Week 2 loss to the Steelers thrust Palczewski into the spotlight with an arduous task: keep TJ Watt away from rookie QB Bo Nix during the two-minute drill.
With a week to prepare for the Buccaneers, coach Sean Payton has confidence in the 25-year-old Palczewski.
“We’re going to be smart about what we do from a protection standpoint, but he’s played in a lot of football games,” Payton said. “I know he’s going to be excited about his first start.”
Palczewski, a 2022 All-American at Illinois, played six collegiate seasons and started 65 games for the Fighting Illini. Initially joining the Broncos’ roster as an undrafted free agent, he went on injured reserve early last season.
“There’s going to be some level of nervousness, but I’ve been at Illinois for six years, so I’ve had a lot of starts,” he said. “Obviously, we’re in the NFL and there’s a lot of really good players, but I’m going to do my best, work on my technique and ensure I protect the guys around me to the best of my ability.”
— Tutu Atwell, Rams wide receiver (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
Puka Nacua is on injured reserve with a knee injury and the Rams could be without receiver Cooper Kupp for an “extended period” due to a left ankle injury sustained last week in Arizona.
Jordan Whittington attracted attention with 11 receptions in the preseason and has generated significant buzz as the Rams’ next-best option, but that doesn’t account for the slightly built Atwell.
While Matthew Stafford struggled to find a primary target against the Cardinals, Demarcus Robinson led the Rams with 50 receiving yards. Atwell was close behind with 48 and has familiarity with the 49ers’ scheme. He recorded seven receptions for 77 yards in last year’s game against San Francisco in Los Angeles.
Stafford already trusts Atwell. Remember the first four weeks of last season when Atwell recorded 35 passes and 22 receptions.
It’s the tenacity and passion of players like Cam Akers and the thrilling prospects of talents like Alex Palczewski and Tutu Atwell that make us love NFL football. Stay tuned for Week 3’s action—it promises to be riveting!
