Saints Sign Running Back Cam Akers to Strengthen Backfield

New Orleans, LA – The New Orleans Saints have bolstered their backfield by signing free-agent running back Cam Akers, according to The Athletic. Akers, a five-year veteran, split the previous season between the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings, accumulating 444 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Akers attended the Saints’ minicamp earlier this week, where he impressed and secured a contract with the team. He is expected to back up star running back Alvin Kamara while contributing to a well-rounded running game.

In addition to Kamara, the Saints boast promising talent in 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller and 2025 sixth-rounder Devin Neal. This diverse roster provides New Orleans with a solid group of runners as they prepare for training camp.

Akers, originally drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, spent three seasons with the team. His standout year was in 2022, when he racked up a career-high 786 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, playing a key role in the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI championship run.

During the postseason in 2021-22, Akers started all three games, amassing 172 rushing yards and 76 receiving yards, with 35 total yards in the championship game. Last season, he signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Texans before being traded to the Vikings. After hitting free agency this offseason, Akers found a new opportunity with the Saints following a minicamp tryout.