Vikings RB Cam Akers Suffered a Torn Achilles in Week 9
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings have been dealing with a multitude of injuries throughout the first half of the NFL season, and still, they’ve weathered the storm to a 5-4 record.
That long list of injuries grew this past weekend, and Kevin O’Connell confirmed on Monday that RB Cam Akers suffered a torn Achilles in Week 9 against the Falcons.
Akers’ season now comes to an end after being a boon to the Vikings backfield over the past month and a half since being acquired from the Los Angeles Rams.
Vikings RB Cam Akers Suffered a Torn Achilles
The Vikings traded to bring in Akers following their Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and since coming to Minnesota, he has put together 38 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown on the ground while adding 11 receptions for 70 yards through the air.
This is a very unfortunate injury for Akers, who suffered the same injury at the end of the 2020 season with the Rams. O’Connell stated that the injury is not in the same leg as the one Akers injured during his rookie season.
The first time around, Akers was able to return to the Rams in time for their 2021 playoff run to a Super Bowl and recorded 67 carries for 172 yards during their road to the championship.
This also puts the Vikings in an interesting spot in regard to their running back position. Outside of Akers, it has largely been Alexander Mattison handling the carries out of the backfield. Ty Chandler has recorded just 13 touches to this point in the season while neither of Kene Nwangwu or rookie DeWayne McBride have seen any snaps with the offense.
Unless the Vikings turn back towards the free agent market, one of these players will have to step up as the RB2 for Minnesota the rest of the way.
Meanwhile, O’Connell also confirmed that both Jaren Hall and K.J. Osborn are in concussion protocol and will be limited throughout the week. T.J. Hockenson suffered a rib injury during the game and managed to play through, but he will be limited as well.
The Vikings will release their first official injury report for Week 10 on Wednesday afternoon which will provide a somewhat clearer picture for these injuries as well as whether or not players like Justin Jefferson or Nick Mullens are ready to return from IR.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.