Minnesota's aggressive defense effectively limited Akers to 21 yards on nine carries with a long of 9, but Akers added an 8-yard reception touchdown for Houston's only score in a 34-7 loss to Minnesota.

Akers will bring experience (particularly already in head coach Kevin O'Connell's system) and depth to a running backs room that includes Aaron Jones, Sr. and Ty Chandler.

Jones suffered a hip injury in Week 5 against the Jets in London. O'Connell listed Jones as “week-to-week” before Minnesota's bye in Week 6.

After joining the Vikings this offseason, Jones rushed for 350 yards and a touchdown on 71 carries and added 17 receptions for 167 yards with 20 receiving targets.

Chandler, a third-year pro, has 147 yards on 42 carries and 42 receiving yards on six catches (six targets).

Gaskin played sparingly on offense and helped out on special teams. Full-back CJ Ham also helped in London. He totaled 10 yards and a touchdown on his first two carries in 2024. Ham has caught both passes directed his way for a total of 11 yards this season and has experience helping out in pass protection on third downs.

Akers joined Houston this offseason after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Minnesota's 2023 Week 9 game at Atlanta.

In five games this season, Akers rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown on 40 carries and added four receptions for 16 yards.

Akers appeared in six games for Minnesota in 2023, rushing for 138 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries and adding 70 yards on 11 catches (12 targets).

O'Connell and Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips overlapped with Akers with the Los Angeles Rams, a run that helped LA win Super Bowl LVI.