How medical marvel Texans running back Cam Akers proving he’s back from two torn Achilles with ‘best display of myself’ (2024)

HOUSTON – Cam Akers’ rare vision allows him to see and believe in things others simply can’t imagine happening.

The Texans’ multidimensional running back took a handoff in the backfield from quarterback Tim Boyle against the New York Giants, running toward his left and encountering a stacked line of scrimmage. Instead of just bulling ahead and conceding that the play was doomed from the start, Akers had altogether different plans. He adeptly cut back against the grain away from pursuit, to his right, turning his body parallel to the line at one point while eluding defenders.

It was an impressive moment, particularly considering that Akers is a medical marvel of sorts. He tore both of his Achilles tendons during previous stints with the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings before earning a roster spot with the Texans through a training camp audition.

Now, he’s pushing hard for a roster spot on the defending AFC South champions.

Deeply spiritual, the former Florida State blue-chip recruit attributes his remarkable comeback to his faith and hard work.

“Give all the credit to the good Lord above, you know what I mean?” Akers told KPRC 2 during an interview at NRG Stadium. “For allowing me to have a strong mind and a strong support system to be able to come back. It’s a small group to come back from that, and I’m happy to be a part of that group.”

Akers joined the Texans, whose running back position is headlined by Pro Bowl selection Joe Mixon, after considering rejoining the Vikings. The idea of playing for the Texans appealed to Akers greatly. The Mississippi native was already in town training with NFL and NBA elite trainer Justin Allen and was in the process of purchasing a home.

“I was here already, so it was like divine destiny, God’s plan,” Akers said. “So, I’m happy to be here. Hopefully, I can make it stretch.”

Whether it was his touchdown catch against the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame game, a crisp spin move in that contest or his consistent elusiveness and acceleration, Akers keeps serving notice about his skills.

“He already kind of came nice,” Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “He’s been playing at a high level since I can remember watching him in college. So, it’s nothing that he changed. I think he’s a little more focused now and just knows what he needs to do to get on the team.

“He’s been working from there. His foundational work, I think, has been great in this offense. He’s been in this type of style. He’s going to continue to do great, and I’m really loving his game and how patient he is, but he hits the hole. He’s a great back.”

Akers transformed a broken play into a spin cycle against Chicago, and perhaps changed the routine narrative about what he’s capable of doing on the football field after a pair of torn Achilles tendons.

What he’s accomplishing is unique.

“Oh man, it’s one of the most difficult things to do for any athlete,” Allen said. “Cam’s resilience, mental stability and hunger and love for the game just takes him over the top. It helps him push through and tap into another mode and be the same player we all know. I saw how detailed he was. He was a pro’s pro. He always came in early and did all the small things.

“I’m not surprised. Everything he said he was going to do, he’s doing. He had the ultimate confidence in himself. It’s an amazing thing to see. One of the first things that happens when an athlete gets hurt is that can go away, that confidence, but he came in my gym with the ultimate confidence and it shows every game.”

Akers’ 15-yard run against the Giants showed an innate understanding of spacing and how to use defenders’ zeal to chase him down against him.

It hearkened back to his high school days as a dual-threat quarterback in Mississippi.

“It definitely helped,” he said. “Being able to identify defenses, identify coverages, stack safeties. I think it slowed the game down for me, which, in this league, is important. Being able to slow the game down and just play and not worry about messing up. I get an idea based on alignment, based off film.”

Akers delivered a nifty spin move in the open field to elude pursuit and pull off a 14-yard reception on a broken play salvaged by him and Cae Keenum. Three plays later, Akers got open for a four-yard touchdown catch.

How Akers, a former standout on the Rams’ Super Bowl championship team and a former Florida State standout, maintained his determination to come back after two devastating injuries is a remarkable example of perseverance.

“I would say knowing who I am, knowing what God has blessed me to do and not settling,” Akers said. “I don’t want that to be my story: ‘Injury, and he didn’t come out.’ I want to come back and show who I am still. I didn’t want that to be my story.

“I’ve been doing that since I’ve been training with these guys in training camp, reminding myself, ‘You’re still you, you still have the same abilities after two Achilles injuries.’ I think it showed. It came full circle, and I want to keep going. I don’t want it to be a one-time thing. I want to keep working and work my way back and keep making plays.”

Akers generated 29 yards from scrimmage on a nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive. He rushed for 13 yards on five carries and caught two passes for 18 yards. He’s emerged as a definite factor in the Texans’ competition behind Mixon and has pushed backup Dameon Pierce.

“I think it’s easy to see his talent in these preseason games,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “He’s made plays. He’s made people miss in space. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do.”

Akers, a former Rams second-round draft pick, played in six games last season for Minnesota and rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown, catching 11 passes for 70 yards.

Akers liked the winning culture the Texans are building under Demeco Ryans’ leadership.

“The opportunity was like no other, the team is like no other,” Akers said. “I would say it’s a super team and whatever way I can work my way into a role here. It’s a super team. Everything is already in place. We’ve got the coaches. We’ve got the players, got the quarterback and the receivers and the defense. What don’t you have here? Running back, we got Joe. Everything is here. I just want to play my part.

“The first time I walked in the door, it was a winning culture. I feel like I was just walking into a winning team. I just want to keep it going and do my part to keep us winning, whether it’s motivate, make plays, whatever I got to do. I just want to be that guy.”

Akers, 25, is a 5-foot-10, 217-pound runner who has rushed for 1,581 career yards, four yards per carry with 11 touchdowns and 38 catches for 320 yards and one touchdown.

In 2022 for the Rams, he rushed for 786 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns as he averaged 4.2 yards per carry. He has just three career fumbles.

“You can see that he has some experience in this kind of an offense with the outside zone stuff and he’s seeing it well,” Texans tight end Dalton Schultz said. “It’s crazy to think through all the stuff that he’s gone through and he’s still able to ball like that. It’s fun man. It’s fun to watch him run and he’s a great teammate, great guy, smart player. I think having that in the room is good for us.”

Akers was traded to the Vikings for a sixth-round draft pick last year, rushing for 40 yards on five carries and catching two passes for 11 yards in his debut against the Carolina Panthers. He got hurt against the Falcons, tearing his Achilles, and was placed on injured reserve.

Akers signed a standard one-year, $1.175 million contract. He just wanted an opportunity, and he got what he was hoping for.

He just wanted a chance and now he has an excellent opportunity to make the 53-man roster.

“Absolutely, I don’t think twice about roster cuts,” he said. “I just go out and put the best display of myself that I can on the field, that I can put on film. Everything else can work itself out.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com