Latest news with #CamAkers
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints To Bring In Veteran Running Back For Minicamp Tryout
Saints To Bring In Veteran Running Back For Minicamp Tryout originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New Orleans Saints are bringing in a big name at running back for a tryout at this week's minicamp. As first reported by Nick Underhill of veteran running back Cam Akers will be trying out for a spot with New Orleans during minicamp practices this week. Advertisement This news shouldn't be a shock. New Orleans reportedly showed interest in former Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb before the Houston Texans signed him this week. A 2nd Team All-ACC selection with the Florida State Seminoles, Akers was a second round choice by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2020 NFL Draft. Splitting backfield snaps with Darrell Henderson as a rookie, Akers still led the Rams with 625 rushing yards as a rookie despite missing four games. Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (23) runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images An Achilles injury limited Akers to only one regular season game in 2021. However, he returned for the postseason. He'd account for 248 yards from scrimmage through the playoffs on the way to the Rams Super Bowl LVI championship. Advertisement Akers rebounded to lead the Rams with 786 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns in 2022. Early in the 2023 campaign, Los Angeles would trade Akers to the Minnesota Vikings. In six games with Minnesota, Akers managed just 138 yards on the ground before being placed on injured reserve. Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images The Houston Texans signed Akers during 2024 free agency. He'd pick up only 147 rushing yards in five games for Houston before being traded again. Akers was dealt back to Minnesota, where he ran for 297 yards over the final 12 games. Over his five-year NFL career, Akers has rushed for 2,025 yards while averaging 4 yards per carry and running for 13 touchdowns. He's added 52 receptions for 388 yards and 4 more scores. Advertisement At 5'10" and 217-Lbs., Akers has good power between the tackles with breakaway speed. However, he's been slowed by injuries and was never able to secure a featured backfield role despite several chances. Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (27) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images The Saints desperately need a backfield complement to Alvin Kamara. Kendre Miller hasn't stayed on the field in his two years and 2024 veteran addition Clyde Edwards-Helaire didn't show consistency. New Orleans brought in rookie backs Devin Neal and Marcus Yarns, but Neal was a sixth-round pick and Yarns was not drafted. Cam Akers will not be asked to be a featured back if signed by the Saints. Insread, it will be a chance to resurrect his once-promising career as a power complement in the New Orleans backfield. Advertisement Related: Derek Carr Further Explains Retirement Decision From New Orleans Saints Related: Former Saints Defensive Star Arrested, Per Report Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 90 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 92 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 94 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Saints try out former Rams Super Bowl champ, Vikings and Texans RB Cam Akers
Saints try out former Rams Super Bowl champ, Vikings and Texans RB Cam Akers It might be now or never for the former five-star recruit This could be interesting. The New Orleans Saints are trying out a big-name running back at this week's mandatory minicamp practices, per Nick Underhill. Cam Akers didn't meet expectations as a former second-round pick with the Los Angeles Rams (out of Florida State), and he struggled to get going last year with the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans, so this may be his last opportunity to catch on with a new team and revitalize his career. It's not uncommon for teams to bring in free agents for tryouts like this at the start of the summer; the Saints did just that with another running back, David Johnson, a few years back. But Akers still has a lot of tread left on his tires. He'll turn 26 on June 22 and has only logged 502 carries in his five-year pro career. He's clearly very talented as a former five-star high school recruit. He just hasn't been able to put it together in the NFL. And it might be now or never for him. He's been traded in each of the last two seasons, from the Rams to the Vikings and from Minnesota to Houston, without ever establishing himself as his new team's top option. But the Saints don't need him to do that. They just need to see whether he can be an effective compliment to Alvin Kamara. They brought back guys like Kendre Miller and Clyde Edwards-Helaire while adding rookies Devin Neal and Marcus Yarns to that competition, plus Velus Jones Jr. and Xazavian Valladay. They were in on Nick Chubb before he signed with the Texans, too. Maybe Akers shows them something they'll like in this extended tryout.
