NFL

Vikings acquire running back Cam Akers from Rams for 2026 draft pick swap

Minnesota has been the NFL's worst rushing team through two games

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The Minnesota Vikings are addressing their biggest weakness.

The Los Angeles Rams are sending running back Cam Akers to Minnesota for a swap of 2026 late-round draft picks. Both teams confirmed the news on Wednesday evening.

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Akers, 24, was a healthy scratch in Week 2 after starting for the Rams in Week 1. He had just 29 yards on 22 carries in Los Angeles' opening week win, getting outperformed by backup Kyren Williams.

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Since being drafted in the second round in 2020, Akers' career has been up and down. The Florida State alum had 625 rushing yards in 13 games as a rookie, but suffered a torn Achilles in the summer before his second season. He returned for the Rams' regular-season finale and subsequent Super Bowl run.

Akers' third season started slowly, which eventually led to him requesting a trade -- a request that was denied before he went on to rush for a career-high 786 yards.

Now, Akers is more likely to get the role he desires in Minnesota. Through two weeks, the Vikings have just 69 rushing yards -- the fewest in the NFL.

The team cut veteran Dalvin Cook before the season, instead opting to give former backup Alexander Mattison a larger role. That experiment is apparently over, with Akers and Mattison now expected to share the backfield.

The 0-2 Vikings will host another winless team, the Los Angeles Chargers, in Week 3 this Sunday.

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