The Houston Texans have looked like a Super Bowl contender during the season’s first two weeks. Unfortunately, in the Week 2 Sunday Night Football game, Joe Mixon left the game with an ankle injury that had head coach Demeco Ryans saying that he would “elevate Joe throughout the week.”
DeMeco Ryans doesn’t give a clear indication of Joe Mixon’s timetable.
Ryans says he will “evaluate Joe throughout the week.”
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) September 16, 2024
Thankfully, the Texans gave veteran running back Cam Akers a chance this offseason. After a sparkling preseason, this veteran running back coming off two significant injuries finally found a home. With the Mixon injury, we must question if Akers is worth adding, as he is available in 98% of fantasy football leagues.
Let’s discuss what he can bring to your roster and if you can utilize him to help bolster your fantasy football roster.
Cam Akers’ Fantasy Outlook for the Remainder of the 2024 Season
His outlook is modest at best. If Mixon misses time, he will be useful for your fantasy football team but should not be viewed as an RB1 in long-term usage. However, as long as Mixon is active, do not expect a significant share of the backfield, as Mixon is typically a workhorse running back for his teams.
Should Cam Akers Be Added on the Fantasy Waiver Wire in Week 3?
If Mixon misses time, Akers will enter a potent offense that can allow him to elevate his fantasy potential. He saw seven rushes in Week 2. He produced 32 yards on the ground, which ranked 20th overall with 4.6. His cohort, Mixon, only produced 2.6 yards per rush, which ranked 36th overall on Trumedia. Akers showed signs of the explosion in the preseason that he possessed before the Achilles injuries. So far in the regular season, we have seen moments reminiscent of that preseason form. Akers is slowly proving to this Texans organization they can trust him in the backfield. His 28.6% of first downs per rushing attempts was 14th best in the NFL in Week 2. This should bring solace to the Texans organization if Mixon misses time at any point during this latest injury.
Akers was also following his assignment and allowing his blockers to help him produce. His 2.86 yards before contact per rush was fourth-best in the entire league in Week 2. Once met with contact, Akers produced 2.29 yards after contact per rush. Although serviceable, he was only 31st in the NFL, while Mixon was the 15th best in that category. Akers has never been the playmaker that Mixon could be on the field, so this ranking should be no surprise to your fantasy football team.
Akers is a target for your fantasy football waiver wire in Week 3. Just be cautious of what you expect from this veteran running back. Even if Akers has returned to his pre-injury form, we will still have a shift in offensive philosophy that will lean into the potent passing game that C.J. Stroud and the pass-catchers provide. With all the injuries during Week 2, we may have to thrust Akers into a starting role this upcoming week.
Thankfully, the Vikings just allowed a 100-yard rusher in Jordan Mason. If the backfield belongs to Akers, we have a chance that he will see light boxes as the Vikings do their best to slow down Houston’s potent passing offense. Akers will then be able to follow his blockers to a strong day in fantasy football.