What Does Cam Akers Trade Mean for Aaron Jones, Vikings RB Situation?

By Ted Schwerzler |

Updated: Oct 15, 2024

Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings — Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings lost starting running back Aaron Jones to a hip injury during the first half of their London game against the New York Jets. He is back practicing this week, but his availability is in question. On Tuesday night Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acquired Cam Akers to solidify the backfield.

Why did the Minnesota Vikings trade for Cam Akers?

His presence may mean a bit more though. The best case scenario for the Vikings would be to have Aaron Jones in uniform on Sunday. As recently as Friday afternoon, all signs pointed to that being the likely reality.

But that was before this trade took place. Maybe Cam is only being added for depth, but in the mix of reports that have come out from NFL insiders since the trade was announced, there have been some whispers that Jones’ injury is more severe than originally thought.

A sign Aaron Jones might not be back right away https://t.co/QoA7DG7i79
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) October 15, 2024

Akers didn’t wind up back in Minnesota this offseason, after reports had come out that he was returning. Instead, the Vikings once again have to give up draft capitol to bring him back. In fact, he cost the same amount as last year, when they wheeled and dealed with the Los Angeles Rams.

While Andrew Krammer (Star Tribune) and some others in the know have hinted at a possible connection between the Akers trade and Aaron Jones’ injury, other insiders across the league (Tom Pelissero – NFL Network) have reported otherwise.

Their sources have told them that the move for Akers is strictly to add more talented depth to the backfield. Others (Kevin Seifert – ESPN) have taken a more, ‘I have no idea’ approach.

The #Vikings’ trade for Cam Akers isn’t a reflection of any long-term concerns with RB Aaron Jones, who could play Sunday. Just another quality RB who knows the system going back to his days with Kevin O’Connell in L.A. https://t.co/SfZ7XucHUL
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 15, 2024

The Vikings needed three RBs last year and that's the case this season, regardless of the severity of Aaron Jones' hip injury. Akers knows the system, has the full faith of Kevin O'Connell and Wes Phillips, and was expendable in Houston with Joe Mixon back on the field. https://t.co/R1yxHgEtuT
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 15, 2024

The Vikings played an entire half without Aaron Jones against the New York Jets. Ty Chandler rushed 14 times for just 30 yards, a 2.1 yards per carry average. The depth may be even more necessary after seeing how the offense flowed without the starter.

Ty Chandler may take the Vikings hit with Akers back

At no point will Aaron Jones not be the starter for the Minnesota Vikings when he is healthy. Ty Chandler finished with that role down the stretch last year, but he didn’t instill confidence against New York. Kevin O’Connell saw how bad the running game looked with Alexander Mattison last year, and it was stretched without depth.

Vikings got an illegal formation penalty on this one, trying to quick snap. You can see Ty Chandler try to point like he's on the line of scrimmage, but he absolutely isn't. Gotta get closer.

It wasn't a completion (in fact nearly and INT) anyway, so the quick snap didn't work. pic.twitter.com/oLh5PJdnFV
— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) October 10, 2024

Prior to his achilles injury, Akers came over from the Rams and helped to solidify the position. Whether Jones misses time or not, he could again play a key role as the backup. Joe Mixon is back for the Texans, and that meant Akers was an unnecessary luxury.

It seems like Chandler is the big running back to watch, in terms of a trickle down effect from the Akers acquisition. But the initial reports that it could be more than that are at least worth watching. We’ll know more as the week goes on and Jones’ status on the injury report is updated.