Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell confirms running back Cam Akers suffered torn Achilles

The Minnesota Vikings suffered a huge loss on Sunday despite taking the victory over the Atlanta Falcons behind the effort of new quarterback Joshua Dobbs. One week after losing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a torn Achilles, running back Cam Akers also suffered the same injury. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed the diagnosis to reporters after the 31-28 win that moved Minnesota to 5-4.

The injury must be some major deja vu for Akers who suffered a torn Achilles in the other leg, his right leg, during the summer of 2021. He made it back to play by January of 2022. Despite a relatively quick bounce back the first time around, the injury means the end of Akers’ 2023 season.

Akers had 30 carries so far this season, rushing for 113 yards and one touchdown behind the Vikings’ lead back Alexander Mattison. The former Florida State star went to Minnesota in a trade from the Rams in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick. The Vikings are paying him $1.29 million in base salary earnings this season.

In 2022 for the Rams, Akers posted a career-high of 786 yards on 188 carries with seven touchdowns. The Rams drafted him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the No. 52 overall pick out of Florida State.

Dobbs leads Vikings on game-winning drive in debut

It didn’t take long for Josh Dobbs to become a hero in Minnesota. Just a few days after signing with the Vikings, the quarterback led the team to a 31-28 victory over the Falcons in Atlanta.

Dobbs connected with Brandon Powell from six yards out with less than 30 seconds to play in Sunday’s game. That score gave Minnesota a 31-28 advantage over Atlanta with just 20 seconds remaining on the clock.

The score held and the Vikings improved to 5-4 on the year. The Falcons dropped to 4-5.

Jaren Hall actually started the game, but left the contest in the first quarter. The offense fell on Dobbs’ shoulders, and he delivered. The former Tennessee star completed 20-of-30 passes for 158 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Dobbs also led the team on the ground, piling up 66 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.

Dobbs started this season with the Arizona Cardinals but was traded to Minnesota near the deadline. With Kirk Cousins suffering a torn Achilles, the Vikings were in need of more depth under center. Getting the veteran played out pretty well for the Vikings this weekend.

On3’s Dustin Schutte contributed to this report.