Houston Texans working again Cam Akers (22) runs the ball in the course of the first quarter in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Troy Taormina -Imagn Photographs Cam Akers is aware of the sensation that Houston Texans beginning working again Joe Mixon and backup Damon Pierce went by means of in Week 2.
Accidents to 2 of the highest backs on the depth chart final week opened the door for Akers to apply this week because the No. 1 again and potential starter when the Texans journey to Minneapolis to face Akers’ former crew. One, 2-0 Vikings.
There is not any model of how Akers obtained thus far in Cliff’s Notes, however the truth that he was on an NFL roster at age 25 after two torn Achilles speaks volumes about what that you must learn about his drive and Perseverance is every little thing.
Akers rushed for a team-high 32 yards on seven carries. Mixon (ankle) left final Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Chicago Bears and Pierce (hamstring) was absent.
The previous No. 1 working again in highschool is enjoying on a veteran’s minimal contract and, in his phrases, “I am nonetheless me. I have not misplaced a step.”
Akers frolicked with the Vikings final season after being traded from the Los Angeles Rams. He went on injured reserve in November and denied any additional motivation to soften down Minnesota’s protection within the revenge sport. He is been busy occupied with the goal-line fumble in opposition to the Bears.
Texans coach DeMeco Reigns stated Wednesday that Houston needs Mixon to be on the sector in Minnesota. In coaching camp, Ryans defended the previous Bengals working again’s sturdiness, saying he is “as powerful as our hardest gamers.”
If Mixon cannot go, Pierce doubtless will not be Houston’s subsequent best choice as a result of he is been coping with a hamstring damage for a number of weeks.
“I haven’t got to be prepared if you’re prepared,” Akers stated.
Expertise has by no means been a problem for Akers. Throughout a prolific prep profession at Mississippi State, Akers totaled greater than 13,000 dashing and passing yards and 149 touchdowns. As a senior working again and quarterback, he rushed for two,105 yards and 34 touchdowns and handed for 3,128 yards and 31 touchdowns.
A star at Florida State, Akers joined the Rams within the second spherical of the 2020 draft and threw for 34 touchdowns in two seasons. He rushed for 221 yards and two touchdowns in two playoff video games as a rookie earlier than tearing his Achilles per week earlier than coaching camp started. Virtually precisely 5 months later, he made a stunning return and performed within the Christmas Day sport in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18, proving he was worthy of a spot on the playoff roster.
He began and rushed 13 occasions for 21 yards in a 23-20 Tremendous Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
With a restricted position, Akers requested a commerce a month into the 2022 season, and he discovered his means into the sector and threw for 3 touchdowns within the first of three consecutive 100-yard dashing video games. He began in Week 1 of 2023 however gained 29 yards on 22 carries and didn’t play to begin Week 2 out of Los Angeles. In September, he was traded to the Vikings in alternate for a sixth-round choose within the 2026 draft.
Akers suffered a torn left Achilles tendon after six video games with the Vikings.
On Sunday, he vowed to be prepared if one other alternative arose.
“He is been enjoying at a excessive stage since I’ve seen him play in school. He is a little bit extra centered,” quarterback C.J. Stroud stated of his first impression of Akers. “His elementary work is excellent. I actually like his sport, he is affected person and he is hitting the ball within the gap on the identical time.”
Akers wasn’t the one participant who flew beneath the radar in Week 3.
—Broncos RT Alex Palczewski (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
With Mike McGlinchey sidelined with an damage within the Week 2 loss to the Steelers, “Palcho” entered the sport with a frightening job: maintaining T.J. Watt away from rookie quarterback Bo on a two-minute drive. Knicks.
The Buccaneers nonetheless have per week to arrange, and head coach Sean Payton has full confidence within the 25-year-old Palczewski.
“We’ll be good relative to what we do in safety, however he is been in a whole lot of soccer video games,” Payton stated. “I do know he will be enthusiastic about his first begin.”
Pachewski was a 2022 All-American at Illinois, performed six seasons in school and began 65 video games for the Preventing Illini. He initially entered the Broncos roster as an undrafted free agent however was positioned on injured reserve early final season.
“There’s going to be a specific amount of nerves, however I used to be at Illinois for six years, so I’ve a whole lot of begins,” he stated. “Clearly that is the NFL and there are a whole lot of actually good gamers, however I will do the most effective I can and attempt to enhance my abilities and know that I wish to do every little thing I can to guard the blokes round me on my left and my proper. Folks play ball.
–Rams WR Tutu Atwell (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
Puka Nakwa was positioned on injured reserve with a knee damage, whereas the Rams will doubtless be with out WR Cooper Kupp “prolonged” with a left ankle damage. Kupp was injured final week in Arizona.
Jordan Whittington, who caught 11 passes within the preseason, is drawing a whole lot of consideration because the Rams’ next-best possibility, however that would overlook the undersized Atwell.
Whereas Matthew Stafford struggled to discover a main goal in opposition to the Cardinals, Demarcus Robinson led the Rams with a 50-yard reception. Atwell is shut behind with 48 factors and is aware of the 49ers’ ways properly. Final yr in Los Angeles’ sport in opposition to San Francisco, he had seven catches for 77 yards.
Stafford already trusts Atwell. Trying again on the first 4 weeks of final season, Atwell was focused 35 occasions and caught 22 passes.
–Scene-level media
