Vikings Host Veteran Running Back for Workout
The Minnesota Vikings tried to re-sign Cam Akers after his torn Achilles, but he surprisingly joined the Houston Texans. His reasons remain mysterious, but he likely either failed his physical or the Texans made him a better offer. Another addition might come soon, as the Vikings are one running back short of the desired number.
Vikings Host Veteran Running Back for Workout
During training camp, teams host players for workouts commonly. Some are signed, and others leave without a deal, but having established a contact for future emergencies is a positive.
On Wednesday, the Vikings worked out Trenton Cannon, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 on X: “Vikings worked out veteran running back and special teams standout Trenton Cannon today, per a league source. Fully recovered from Achilles injury. Has interest from multiple teams.”
Cannon turned 30 on Monday, which is relatively old for a running back in today’s NFL. He was a sixth-rounder in the 2018 draft. The New York Jets added him to their draft class that also featured new Vikings passer Sam Darnold. After spending his first college season at Shepherd State, he transferred to Virginia State, where he rushed for over 4,000 yards in three seasons.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t match that type of impact in the NFL. As a rookie in 2018, Cannon appeared in all 16 games and logged 38 carries for 113 yards and a touchdown. He also added 144 yards through the air. It has been his most productive season. He was exclusively a special teams player in 2019 and got cut later in the year. Since then, Cannon has bounced around with stints in Carolina, Baltimore, San Francisco, and Tennessee, primarily as a kick returner. A knee injury in Week 2 ended his 2022 season, and since then, he hasn’t been on a team.
Why would the Vikings entertain acquiring a 30-year-old without much of an established track record?
It’s quite simple: Minnesota lacks running back depth. Aaron Jones was signed to revive the catastrophic running attack and will be supported by Ty Chandler, last year’s emerging playmaker. The duo should be an upgrade over last year’s crew led by Alexander Mattison.
However, the depth is a problem. DeWayne McBride was placed on the NFI list but has already passed his physical and is back on the field. He was selected in last year’s seventh round but failed to make the team. The former UAB standout remained on the practice squad all season despite the struggles in the running game, and he didn’t have a good preseason last year.
Myles Gaskin was once a starter in Miami but recorded only ten carries in 2022 and was also stuck on the practice squad last year. Kick returner Kene Nwangwu has barely played a role on offense through three seasons, and there’s no reason to believe that 2024 will be different.
Another element is Cannon’s experience as a kick returner. While he is unlikely to unseat Nwangwu, providing some competition and perhaps returning kicks to rest the explosive, injury-prone Nwangwu in the preseason makes sense.
If Cannon is signed, he would be unlikely to make the 53-man roster, but he could provide some fresh legs in the preseason, in which Jones and Chandler might not see the field.
Cannon has appeared in 48 career games and registered 51 carries for 150 yards and one touchdown on the ground, with 20 catches for 160 yards as a receiver. He has also returned 34 kicks.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt