Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (31) runs with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings place RB Cam Akers (Achilles) on IR

The Minnesota Vikings placed running back Cam Akers on injured reserve Wednesday.

The move was expected after Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Monday that Akers sustained a ruptured Achilles during last weekend’s win against the Atlanta Falcons.

Minnesota acquired Akers from the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 20 in exchange for a swap of 2026 draft picks. The Rams gave up a conditional seventh-round pick and will acquire a conditional Vikings’ sixth-round selection.

Akers, 24, started in Week 1 for the Rams, rushing for 29 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in a win at Seattle. He had 138 yards on 38 carries in six games with the Vikings.

Akers has 398 carries for 1,581 yards and 11 touchdowns in 36 career games (15 starts) since being selected by Los Angeles in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Florida State.

Also on Wednesday, the Vikings signed quarterback Tanner Morgan to the practice squad and returned defensive lineman Sheldon Day to the practice squad.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) jumps over Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Kentavius Street (75) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings plan to start QB Joshua Dobbs vs. Saints

The Vikings are planning to start Joshua Dobbs at quarterback this week against the visiting New Orleans Saints, Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters Monday.

Dobbs said rookie quarterback Jaren Hall is in the concussion protocol, along with wide receiver K.J. Osborn. Both players left Sunday’s win against the Atlanta Falcons with head injuries.

Dobbs — acquired five days before the game in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals — replaced Hall on short notice and guided the Vikings to a come-from-behind, 31-28 victory. Dobbs had a 22-yard scramble late in the game to set up the game-winning touchdown pass to Brandon Powell.

O’Connell said Dobbs will take all the first-team reps in practice this week for the Vikings (5-4), who have won four straight heading into Sunday’s game with the visiting Saints (5-4).

The Vikings are already down Kirk Cousins (torn Achilles) and Nick Mullens (back) at the position, in addition to Hall. Mullens could be activated from injured reserve this week, but O’Connell was not sure of his progress.

Dobbs’ season began in Arizona after the Cardinals, who had to start the season without Kyler Murray, acquired him from the Cleveland Browns at the end of training camp. In eight starts for the Cardinals, Dobbs had 1,569 passing yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions on a 62.8 percent completion rate, plus three rushing TDs.

For the Vikings on Sunday, Dobbs went 20-for-30 for 158 yards and two touchdown passes.

O’Connell also confirmed that running back Cam Akers suffered a ruptured Achilles in the game at Atlanta.

Acquired from the Los Angeles Rams early in the season, Akers appeared in six games for Minnesota and rushed 38 times for 138 yards and one touchdown. He added 11 receptions for 70 yards.

–Field Level Media

Jun 14, 2023; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) during minicamp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

RB Cam Akers passes physical, trade to Vikings official

Running back Cam Akers passed his physical Thursday, making his trade to the Minnesota Vikings official.

The Los Angeles Rams moved Akers to the Vikings on Wednesday in exchange for a swap of 2026 draft picks. The Rams gave up a conditional seventh-round pick and will acquire a conditional Vikings’ sixth-round selection.

To make room on the Vikings’ active roster, wide receiver Jalen Nailor was placed on injured reserve with hamstring discomfort.

Akers lands on a Vikings team that is still coping with the offseason loss of Dalvin Cook. He is expected to be active for Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Chargers, joining running backs Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler and Myles Gaskin. Mattison has rushed for 62 yards in two starts.

Akers, 24, requested a trade last season after being dissatisfied with his role with Los Angeles. He returned to the team after the Rams failed to find a suitable trade partner.

Akers started in Week 1 for the Rams, rushing for 29 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in a win at Seattle. But he was a healthy inactive last week against the San Francisco 49ers.

He has 360 carries for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns in 30 career games (15 starts) since being selected by Los Angeles in the second round of the 2020 draft out of Florida State.

Nailor, 24, has played primarily on special teams in two games this season. He had nine receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown as a rookie with the Vikings last season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands the ball off to Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Rams trade RB Cam Akers to Vikings

The Los Angeles Rams traded running back Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday in exchange for a swap of 2026 draft picks, multiple outlets reported.

Akers lands on a Vikings team that is still coping with the offseason loss of Dalvin Cook. He joins an RB room composed of two-game starter Alexander Mattison along with Ty Chandler and Myles Gaskin. Mattison has rushed for 62 yards in two games.

Akers, 24, requested a trade last season after being dissatisfied with his role with Los Angeles. He returned to the team after the Rams failed to find a suitable trade partner.

Akers started in Week 1 for the Rams, rushing for 29 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in a win at Seattle. But he was a healthy inactive last week against the San Francisco 49ers.

He has 360 carries for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns in 30 career games (15 starts) since being selected by Los Angeles in the second round of the 2020 draft out of Florida State.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Report: RB Cam Akers to be inactive, Rams look to trade him

Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers will be inactive for Sunday’s game against the visiting San Francisco 49ers as the team looks to trade him, FOX Sports reported.

Per the report, Akers is not injured and will be idle for Sunday’s game as a coach’s decision.

Kyren Williams had 15 carries for 52 yards and two touchdowns in Los Angeles’ 30-13 victory over the host Seattle Seahawks last Sunday. Williams, 23, was selected by the Rams in the fifth round out of Notre Dame of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Akers, 24, requested a trade last season after being dissatisfied with his role with Los Angeles. He returned to the team after the Rams failed to find a suitable trade partner.

Akers rushed 22 times for 29 yards and a touchdown in Los Angeles’ season opener. He has 360 carries for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns in 30 career games (15 starts) since being selected by Los Angeles in the second round of the 2020 draft.

–Field Level Media

Jul 26, 2023; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Sony Michel (24) during training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Two-time Super Bowl champ Sony Michel retires

Two-time Super Bowl champion running back Sony Michel has decided to retire after five seasons in the NFL.

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters of Michel’s decision on Saturday. McVay said Michel previously informed the team of his intention to retire.

“What an incredible player. What a great career this guy has had,” McVay said.

“…It’s a bummer. His body’s feeling like it’s talking to him, and I have nothing but respect and appreciation for the competitor that he is and love Sony.”

Michel, 28, signed on for a second stint with Los Angeles last month. He enjoyed success in his first run with the Rams, helping the club win the Super Bowl following the 2021 season.

That season, Michel rushed 208 times for 845 yards with four touchdowns in 17 games (seven starts) while adding 21 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. He ran for a combined 80 yards in Rams’ four playoff games.

Michel spent last season playing for the Los Angeles Chargers, recording 36 carries for 106 yards to go along with nine receptions for 53 yards.

He has rushed for 3,243 yards and 18 touchdowns and added 56 catches for 439 yards and two scores in 65 career games (35 starts) with the New England Patriots, Rams and Chargers. The Patriots selected the Georgia product with the 31st overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Michel was expected to be the primary backup to Cam Akers (team-leading 786 rushing yards, seven TDs in 2022). Kyren Williams and rookie Zach Evans are also on the depth chart.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA;  Los Angeles Rams running back Sony Michel (25) rushes during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

RB Sony Michel reaches deal for second stint with Rams

Running back Sony Michel agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the Rams, however The Athletic reported it is a one-year contract.

Michel, 28, enjoyed a measure of success during his first stint with the Rams in 2021.

He rushed 208 times for 845 yards with four touchdowns in 17 games (seven starts) while adding 21 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. He also got at least one touch in each of the Rams’ four playoff games en route to their Super Bowl victory.

Michel spent last season playing for the Los Angeles Chargers, recording 36 carries for 106 yards to go along with nine receptions for 53 yards.

He has rushed for 3,243 yards and 18 touchdowns to go along with 56 catches for 439 yards and two scores in 65 career games (35 starts) with the New England Patriots, Rams and Chargers. The Patriots selected the Georgia product with the 31st overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Michel will join a Rams roster that includes fellow running backs Cam Akers (team-leading 786 rushing yards, 7 TDs in 2022), Kyren Williams, Ronnie Rivers and rookie Zach Evans.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) moves the ball against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.

Nfl Los Angeles Rams At Arizona Cardinals

Rams activate Cam Akers as one of four running backs

The Los Angeles Rams activated running back Cam Akers for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he missed the past two games while in a dispute with the coaching staff.

Akers returns to Tampa Bay where he had a pair of fumbles for the Rams in a divisional-round playoff game last season, won by Los Angeles 30-27.

Akers has 151 yards on 51 carries and one touchdown this season. For his career, he’s recorded 779 yards, three rushing touchdowns and a receiving score.

The Rams selected Akers, 23, in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

“We’re a better team when (Akers) ends up being the guy that we know,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said during the week. “Sometimes you got to be able to work through things and have good conversations. … The most important thing for us is he’s back.”

The Rams also activated running back Ronnie Rivers from the practice squad, as well as tight end Jared Pinkney. Rivers and Akers will be half of the Rams’ four-RB arsenal Sunday with Darrell Henderson Jr. and Malcolm Brown also active.

In other moves by Los Angeles, linebacker Travin Howard was activated from injured reserve and tackle Chandler Brewer was elevated from the practice squad.

On Friday, the Buccaneers ruled out safety Antoine Winfield (concussion), receiver Russell Gage (hamstring), guard Luke Goedeke (foot) and tight end Cameron Brate (neck).

–Field Level Media

Oct 30, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) walks off the field after sustaining an injury in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Rams WR Cooper Kupp to play; team undecided on RB Cam Akers

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will be active Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite an ankle sprain that occurred late in last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Facing a 17-point deficit in the closing minutes, Kupp was on the field and caught a pass in Los Angeles territory when he was tackled and remained on the ground with the injury. After missing practice early in the week, Kupp was a limited participant Thursday and Friday.

Kupp underwent further testing this week but was determined to have tissue swelling.

Kupp, 29, had eight catches for 79 yards and a touchdown Sunday. In seven games this season, he has 64 receptions for 686 yards and five touchdowns.

The Rams also will have wide receiver Van Jefferson (knee) and center Brian Allen (knee) active this week after both returned last week following multi-game absences.

The Rams remain undecided on the status of running back Cam Akers, who was back with the team this week following differences with the coaching staff. Akers missed each of the Rams’ past two games.

Akers has 151 yards on 51 carries and one touchdown this season. For his career, he’s recorded 779 yards, three rushing touchdowns and a receiving score. He added two rushing touchdowns in the 2020 playoffs.

The Rams selected Akers, 23, in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

“We’re a better team when (Akers) ends up being the guy that we know,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “Sometimes you got to be able to work through things and have good conversations. … The most important thing for us is he’s back.”

The Rams also are weighing whether to activate rookie running back Kyren Williams, 22. The fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame has been on the field for one special-teams snap this season because of a high-ankle sprain.

On Friday, the Buccaneers ruled out safety Antoine Winfield (concussion), receiver Russell Gage (hamstring), guard Luke Goedeke (foot) and tight end Cameron Brate (neck).

–Field Level Media