An MRI confirmed the Vikings' fears: Cam Akers has a ruptured left Achilles tendon and is out for the rest of the season, Kevin O'Connell announced on Monday.
It's a brutal blow for Akers, who tore his right Achilles tendon in July 2021 and had become an important part of the Vikings' offense since being traded from the Rams in September.
"Cam has been phenomenal," O'Connell said. "In our locker room, on the field, with our team. He's really enjoyed being a part of this and getting to be with that group every single day. When we traded for him and brought him in here, he exceeded all of my expectations."
In six games with Minnesota, Akers had 208 yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown. He also went out with a highlight play during Sunday's win over the Falcons, pancaking 287-pound defensive lineman Kentavius Street to allow Josh Dobbs to pick up a first down with his legs.
Late in the third quarter, Akers tried to plant his left foot after catching a pass and suffered the injury. It's the second straight week where a Vikings player has torn their Achilles; Kirk Cousins did so against the Packers.
Amazingly, Akers was able to return just five months after his 2021 Achilles tear, so he has experience with this type of recovery process.
"Cam's pretty bummed out," O'Connell said. "We're going to be with him every step of the way in the recovery from this. Something he's been through before and came back remarkably fast from that. And as I told him, that's how he should go about attacking this one the same exact way. I know he'll do that."
Ty Chandler will see an expanded role in the Vikings' backfield with Akers out.
In other injury news, O'Connell expects Christian Darrisaw and T.J. Hockenson to be limited this week in practice. Darrisaw missed the game in Atlanta with a groin issue that popped up on the injury report late in the week. Hockenson picked up a rib/midsection injury during the Falcons game but was able to battle through it and stay on the field.
The hope is that both players will progress enough to play against the Saints. Backup left tackle David Quessenberry played admirably in Darrisaw's absence.
Jaren Hall and K.J. Osborn are in the concussion protocol, so the Vikings will let that process play out for them while looking out for their long-term best interest.
As for Justin Jefferson, who is eligible to return from IR this week, the Vikings are still working through what the timeline looks like with his hamstring injury. O'Connell expects to have more of an update on Wednesday.
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