Cam

Akers

Akers saw more work in the backfield for the Vikings towards the end of the 2024 season after veteran lead back Aaron Jones appeared to slow. Both backs were playing the 2024 season on one-year “prove it” deals, potentially an indication of sweeping changes in the backfield for a Vikings team that flamed out down the stretch this year. Akers ends the 2024 season with 147 yards and a touchdown on 40 regular season carries, adding four receptions.

The questionable designation comes after Akers missed practice Saturday with an illness, although head coach Kevin O’Connell relayed that he expects Akers to be able to play come Monday. Fellow running back Ty Chandler missed practice earlier int he week with an illness but returned to the practice field Saturday, ultimately free a game designation.

The highlight of the game for Akers was a 58-yard scamper at the beginning of the third quarter in a then 10-3 game. Akers started the second half with Aaron Jones remaining in the locker room for an undisclosed reason, failing to score on his next carry after the long run before giving way to Jones on the following play. Jones’ status could be something to monitor as the Vikings prepare for a road date with the Rams in the Wildcard Round.

Akers took a swing pass from Sam Darnold in for a score. The 25-year-old saw a good number of reps in the second half as Aaron Jones appeared to be hobbled, but Minnesota was throwing too much against an ineffective Green Bay secondary for it to matter much. Akers could see the bulk of the playing time in Week 18 against the Lions if Jones isn’t able to play.

Akers, who had 15 rushing attempts over the past two games, was invisible in this one. Aaron Jones, meanwhile, had 21 touches for 93 scoreless yards. Akers did not log a route or target against the Seahawks. He should remain on waiver wires in Week 17.

Akers had just three carries before things got out of hand, then salted away the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown to take the score to 27-6 and was given additional closeout work. His role feels as strong as you can get on a non-committee team, but it doesn’t amount to much more in fantasy than touchdown-or-bust. He finished with 21 snaps to Aaron Jones’ 47.

One week after Aaron Jones drew a quarters-long benching, Akers was back to pure breather option. Four of his five carries came deep into closeout mode. Although we assume the Vikes will look to spell injury-prone vet Jones a bit down the stretch, Akers continues to have zero standalone value in fantasy.

Aaron Jones, meanwhile, had five rushing attempts to go along with four targets. Akers, who had 26 rushes over the three games coming into Week 13, has eaten into Jones’ role, though he is not a fantasy option himself. Akers should be rostered in most 12-team leagues in case Jones misses time in the final month of the season.

Jones was benched for the better part of two quarters after fumbling twice in the first quarter, losing one of the fumbles to Arizona. Cam Akers had four rushing attempts to Jones’ five in a game that saw Sam Darnold throw 31 passes. Jones’ playing time and involvement in the Vikings offense has been shaky of late. On Sunday, he ran a route on just 18 of the team’s 41 drop backs and saw four targets, fourth most among Vikings pass catchers. Akers’ involvement and Jones’ fumbling issues will make him a decent RB2/3 option in Week 14 against the Falcons, though the upside he had early in the season appears to be gone.

Akers entered the week with 26 touches on a near 1B role over his past two appearances. Aaron Jones put plenty of space between himself and Akers versus the Bears with 22 carries to Akers’ three. He also caught three balls while Akers reeled in his only target for a six-yard gain. Akers remains the clear backup to Jones but doesn’t have standalone fantasy value heading into Week 13.