Vikings Activate Familiar RB After Tough Aaron Jones Injury Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paul White | Last updated Sep 21, 2025 10:00 AM ET

Life comes at you fast in the NFL. A mere 12 days ago, the Minnesota Vikings pulled off an impressive fourth-quarter comeback against the Chicago Bears and felt like they were on top of the world, but now they’re in the complete opposite position.

After a loss on ‘Sunday Night Football’ to the Atlanta Falcons last weekend, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell announced a mysterious injury to quarterback J.J. McCarthy that is expected to sideline him for a few weeks.

Backup Carson Wentz is expected to fill in for the second-year star, but that isn’t the totality of the injuries for Minnesota.

Starting running back Aaron Jones suffered a hamstring injury during the same game, which resulted in the team placing him on injured reserve.

While the Vikings believe their backup, Jordan Mason, is good enough to shoulder the load, they have elevated a familiar face to the active roster.

They signed running back Cam Akers, who has been with the team twice before, to the practice squad earlier this week.

Minnesota announced before their game against the Cincinnati Bengals today that Akers will be moved to the active roster, potentially signaling a role for him in the offense already.

Vikings elevated RB Cam Akers and G Henry Byrd to the active roster for Sunday’s game vs. the Bengals.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 20, 2025

The former second-round pick had high hopes from many fans because of his rare talent, but devastating injuries in his young career zapped those game-breaking abilities from him.

But the potential and familiarity is alluring to Minnesota, who has helped Akers realize that potential in the past.

The Vikings will look to get back on track against the Bengals, who also lost their starting quarterback in Joe Burrow, who went down with turf toe last week. Wentz, Mason and Akers will headline the new look backfield, all trying to revive their careers in their own right.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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