Thu Sep 19 1:31pm ET
Field Level Media
Cam Akers knows the feeling that Houston Texans starting running back Joe Mixon and backup Dameon Pierce experienced in Week 2.
Injuries to the top two backs on the depth chart last week opened the door for Akers to practice this week as the No. 1 back and potential starter when the Texans roll into Minneapolis to face one of Akers' former teams, the 2-0 Vikings.
There's no Cliff's Notes version to how Akers got here, but his mere presence on an NFL roster at age 25 after twice tearing his Achilles says everything you need to know about his drive and perseverance.
Akers had a team-high 32 yards on seven carries with Mixon (ankle) exiting last Sunday's win against the Chicago Bears and Pierce (hamstring) sitting out.
The one-time No. 1 running back in high school is playing on a veteran minimum deal to prove, in his words, "I'm still who I am. I haven't lost a step."
Akers spent part of last season with the Vikings following a trade from the Los Angeles Rams. He went on injured reserve in November and denies there's any extra motivation to melt Minnesota's defense in a revenge play. He's been too busy thinking about a goal-line fumble against the Bears.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday that Houston is holding out hope for Mixon to be on the field in Minnesota. In training camp, Ryans labeled the former Bengals running back "as tough as our toughest player" when defending his durability.
If Mixon can't go, Pierce might not be the next best option for Houston because of a weeks-long fight with his ailing hamstring.
"I don't have to get ready when you stay ready," Akers said.
Talent has never been Akers' issue. During a prolific prep career in Mississippi, Akers had more than 13,000 yards combined rushing and passing and 149 touchdowns. As a senior playing running back and quarterback, he rushed for 2,105 yards and 34 touchdowns and passed for 3,128 yards and 31 TDs.
A star at Florida State with 34 total TDs and two 1,000-yard seasons, Akers went to the Rams in the second round of the 2020 draft. He finished his rookie season strong with 221 rushing yards and two touchdowns in two playoff games, but tore his Achilles one week before training camp began. He made a shocking return almost exactly five months later and played in the Week 18 Christmas Day game against the San Francisco 49ers, proving that he was worthy of a playoff roster spot.
He started and had 13 carries for 21 yards in the 23-20 victory in the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Akers requested a trade one month into the 2022 season due to a limited role, then found his way onto the field and delivered a three-touchdown game in the first of three consecutive 100-yard rushing games. He started Week 1 of 2023 but gained 29 yards on 22 carries and was inactive Week 2, the start of a path out of Los Angeles. He was traded to the Vikings in September for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft.
Six games into his tenure with the Vikings, Akers tore his left Achilles.
On Sunday, he vows to be ready if another opportunity arises.
"He's been playing at a high level since I watched him in college. He's a little more focused," quarterback CJ Stroud said of his first impressions of Akers. "His foundational work has been great. I'm really loving his game, how patient he is and he hits the hole at the same time."
Akers isn't the only off-the-radar player to watch in Week 3. Here are a few others likely to fill expanded roles this week:
--Broncos RT Alex Palczewski (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Mike McGlinchey went down late in the Week 2 loss to the Steelers and "Palcho" entered the game with a stiff assignment: Keep T.J. Watt away from rookie QB Bo Nix in the two-minute offense.
With a week to prepare for the Buccaneers, head coach Sean Payton is confident in the 25-year-old Palczewski.
"We'll be smart relative to what we're doing protection wise, but he's played in a lot of football games," Payton said. "I know he'll be excited about his first start."
An All-American at Illinois in 2022, Palczewski played six college seasons and started 65 games for the Fighting Illini. He initially made the Broncos' roster as an undrafted free agent but went on injured reserve early last season.
"There's going to be a level of nerves, but I did six years at Illinois, so I got plenty of starts under my belt," he said. "Obviously it's the NFL and there's a lot of really good players, but I'm just going to do the best job I can, work on my technique and just know that I want to give as much as effort as I can to protect the guys around me and play for the guys to the left and right of me."
--Rams WR Tutu Atwell (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
Puka Nacua is on injured reserve with a knee injury and the Rams could be without WR Cooper Kupp for "an extended period" with a left ankle injury. Kupp was hurt last week at Arizona.
Jordan Whittington had 11 catches in the preseason and created a lot of buzz as the next best option in line for the Rams, but that would be overlooking the diminutive Atwell.
As Matthew Stafford strained to find a lead target against the Cardinals, Demarcus Robinson led the Rams with 50 receiving yards. Atwell was close behind with 48 and knows the 49ers' scheme well. He had seven receptions for 77 yards in last year's meeting with San Francisco in Los Angeles.
Stafford already trusts Atwell. Look back to the first four weeks of last season, when Atwell was targeted 35 times and caught 22 passes.
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said that linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (knee) had offseason knee surgery before he agreed to take a pay cut to stay with the team in 2025. Nwosu suffered an MCL injury on a cut block from Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Wyatt Teller in the final preseason game last fall and spent two stints on Injured Reserve in 2024. The 28-year-old only played in six games (two starts) for Seattle in his third year with the team and had 14 tackles (eight solo) and one sack. He also appeared in just six games for the Seahawks in 2023 due to injury after posting a career-high 9.5 sacks in 17 starts in his first year with the team in 2022. Schneider said last week that Nwosu could be cutting it close to be ready for Week 1 of the 2025 regular season, and he could have to begin the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
From RotoBaller
The Tennessee Titans announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent quarterback Tim Boyle to an undisclosed deal. Boyle will provide depth in the QB room in Tennessee behind Will Levis and Brandon Allen. However, with the Titans fully expected to take a rookie signal-caller in this year's draft -- signs are pointing toward it being Cam Ward at No. 1 overall -- Boyle won't be a lock to stick around with Tennessee into the 2025 regular season. The 30-year-old veteran will be joining his seventh NFL team after already playing with the Packers, Lions, Bears, Jets, Dolphins and Giants. He spent last year with the Dolphins and Giants, going 27-for-50 for 276 yards, one touchdown and an interception in three games (no starts). Boyle has a 60.5 career completion percentage with five touchdown passes and 13 interceptions in 23 career games (five starts) over six seasons.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Adam Schefter said on Wednesday that the Cleveland Browns are leaning toward selecting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 2 overall pick in this April's NFL draft. The Tennessee Titans are saying they are still open to discussing trade offers for the No. 1 overall selection, but they've also become more and more enamored with Miami quarterback Cam Ward, leading to a belief that they will hang onto the top pick and take the signal-caller. Even though the 21-year-old Carter is recovering from a stress reaction in his right foot, the defensive end is still considered the clear top defensive prospect in this draft class and surely will not slip out of the top five. Cleveland currently has Kenny Pickett as the No. 1 QB on their depth chart, so a quarterback is a big need, but it could be hard to pass up adding Carter to their D-line opposite All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson said he expects to be the team's starting QB in 2025 after agreeing to a one-year deal worth $10.5 million guaranteed on Tuesday. Wilson joins veteran Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito in the G-Men's quarterback room, although they could still add a rookie signal-caller in April's draft. The 36-year-old underwhelmed in his two seasons in Denver in 2022 and 2023 and then completed 63.7% of his 336 pass attempts for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 regular-season starts for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. The 10-time Pro Bowler and former Super Bowl champion is clearly past his prime, but he'll have some decent weapons in New York, most notably second-year wideout Malik Nabers. However, given how he's looked the last three years, Wilson is unlikely to be much more than a midrange QB2 in fantasy in 2025, at best.
From RotoBaller
The Tennessee Titans have claimed linebacker Curtis Jacobs off waivers, Jim Wyatt of the team reports. Jacobs was released by the New England Patriots late last week. Tennessee will effectively take on the remainder of his three-year $2.88 million deal. The Penn State product appeared in nine games last season (two starts) while also spending time on special teams (136 snaps). He registered four tackles. Jacobs played on just 2.06% of defensive snaps but nearly a third of the Patriots' special teams ones (31.12%). The second-year pro never notched more than 39 tackles during his time as a Nittany Lion and doesn't project to contribute much at all in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
On Wednesday, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah noted naming second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) as the team's starting quarterback is "the outcome we want" and "the outcome we're headed towards." However, he refused to rule out the potential of reigniting discussions with free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. McCarthy has been cleared for offseason activity, but his return to the field remains unknown. The only other QB on the roster is Brett Rypien. With the New York Giants' most recent signing of Russell Wilson, they're out of the game for Rodgers, so if nothing transpires with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the veteran could still land with the Vikings. He'd undoubtedly be an upgrade over Rypien if McCarthy were out for longer than expected.
From RotoBaller
Per the team, the Seattle Seahawks have re-signed linebacker Josh Ross to a one-year $1.03 million deal. He appeared in ten games last season for Seattle and earned his salt on special teams. The 25-year-old played 67% of the Seahawks' snaps there after his acquisition off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens. He registered four tackles. Ross is currently buried on the team's depth chart and figures to serve as a depth piece and special teams contributor again in 2025. It's worth mentioning that the Michigan native continues his familiarity with head coach Mike Macdonald, who he has played under in college at Michigan and during his time in Baltimore.
From RotoBaller
Former Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was clocked running a 4.47 and 4.49 40-yard dash by two separate NFL teams at the University's pro day on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Albert Breer. The 22-year-old is viewed as one of the top wideout prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class, but his straight-line speed as a physical slot receiver has been in question. A sub-4.5 40-time could be what pushes him into the first round of next month's draft, though he is projected to go in Round 2 by many. Egbuka enjoyed a fantastic collegiate career, racking up 2,868 yards and 24 touchdowns on 205 receptions in 49 career games. Potential team fits in the back of the first round or early second round include the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos are re-signing fullback Michael Burton for the 2025 campaign, according to team reporter Zac Stevens. Burton was originally a fifth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2015 out of Rutgers and has spent time with the Lions, Bears, Saints, Redskins, Chiefs, and Broncos. He reunited with Sean Payton in Denver in 2023 and is back for his third season with the organization. The 33-year-old is primarily utilized as a pure blocker, but he has compiled 42 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns in 147 career games. He's hauled in 31 receptions for 196 yards and two scores as a receiver. In 2025, he could be blocking for a highly-drafted rookie running back like North Carolina's Omarion Hampton or Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson.
From RotoBaller
The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly not actively targeting free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, when asked to rule out the possibility of signing Rodgers, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah declined to do so. "For me to sit here and say anything is 100% forever," Adofo-Mensah said. "That's just not the job." The team has had talks with veteran free-agent Ryan Tannehill, but no deal is imminent. There is uncertainty surrounding the Vikings' quarterback spot as J.J.McCarthy (knee) works his way back from a torn ACL that cost him his entire rookie season, and the general belief is the Vikings would like to add a solid veteran option to compete with McCarthy after Sam Darnold departed for the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers, who posted a 5-12 record in 2024 with the New York Jets behind 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions is running out of potential landing spots after Russell Wilson signed with the New York Giants on Tuesday. Rodgers' most likely option is the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the situation in Minnesota is better suited for an aging quarterback on the last leg of his career.
From RotoBaller
There has been momentum building for the Tennessee Titans to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in April. Ward is the overwhelming favorite to be the top selection, but Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said the team has not come to a final decision. "I would say everything is still on the table," Borgonzi said. "Now we're going through the process here with the college quarterbacks. But I'd say everything is still on the table right now." Tennessee added left tackle Dan Moore and right guard Kevin Zeitler this offseason to shore up its offensive line but has not added a significant quarterback. Will Levis and Brandon Allen are the only two quarterbacks under contract, which further suggests Ward will be their top pick next month. Ultimately, the Titans could seriously be considering trading out of the No. 1 pick, but the more likely case is that Borgonzi is simply willing to hear offers for the No. 1 overall selection. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, it would take a significant haul for Tennessee to move down.
From RotoBaller
TSN's Dave Naylor reports that the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League have added free-agent quarterback Trey Lance to their negotiation list this week. Lance's father, Carlton, was a former cornerback for the Roughriders. The former third overall pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 out of North Dakota State hasn't generated any interest in the NFL on the free-agent market and could be on the verge of heading to Canada. The 24-year-old signal-caller saw some action with the Dallas Cowboys last year with Dak Prescott (hamstring) going down with a season-ending injury, and he went 25-for-41 for 266 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in four games (one start). He spent the last two years in Dallas as the No. 3 QB behind Prescott and Cooper Rush. Since debuting in 2021 with the Niners, Lance has only five TD passes and four picks in 12 games (five starts).
From RotoBaller
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that with quarterback Russell Wilson landing with the New York Giants on Tuesday, it would seem to indicate that free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers will likely join the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2025 season if he decides to keep playing. This is the way things have been trending ever since the Minnesota Vikings said last week that they didn't plan on adding Rodgers to their QB room. Per Josina Anderson, the Steelers walked away from their visit with Rodgers feeling really good about the vibe of the meeting, according to a league source. It would be a surprise at this point if Rodgers isn't the Steelers' starting QB in 2025, but that won't stop them from also drafting a QB this year. Rodgers would be working with a strong receiver duo of DK Metcalf and George Pickens, but he also had Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson in 2024 with the Jets and finished as the QB15 in fantasy scoring.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Former 49ers and Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance has been added to the Saskatchewan Roughriders negotiation list. Dynasty Analysis: He hasn't signed with the CFL as of yet, but this is the latest sign Lance is receiving little to no interest at all by NFL teams. The latest example of team drafting potential over production only to see it go horribly wrong, Lance is seemingly looking outside the league in an attempt to rejuvenate his career. At this point, he's nowhere close to being worthy of an NFL roster spot after flaming out in San Francisco and showing next to nothing in Dallas as well.
Dynasty | The Raiders have signed tight end Ian Thomas. Dynasty Analysis: Thomas was once a pretty hot sleeper prospect during his time in Carolina. However, calf injuries have limited him to just eight catches over the past two years and he's now 29 years old. He could carve out a role with the Raiders if Michael Mayer gets moved, but it's hard to find a reason to actually keep him on a dynasty roster at this point.
The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent tight end Ian Thomas (calf) to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. Thomas will head to the AFC West after spending the first seven years of his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers after they selected him in the fourth round (101st overall) in the 2018 NFL draft out of Indiana. The 28-year-old never really established himself as a fantasy asset in Carolina, with his best season coming in his rookie campaign with a 36-333-2 line on 49 targets in 16 games (six starts). Thomas landed on Injured Reserve in 2024 with a calf injury and only caught three of six targets for seven yards in five games (two starts). He scored four touchdowns in his first three seasons but hasn't found the end zone since. In Vegas, he'll provide TE depth behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer and will remain off the fantasy radar.
Free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers (Jets) will likely play with the Pittsburgh Steelers if he decides to play in 2025, in the opinion of NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
Fantasy Spin: Rodgers is a QB2 in fantasy and will really have to find a way to rekindle some mobility in the pocket two years from a torn Achilles in order to be worthwhile in drafts.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) reached an agreement with the New England Patriots on Tuesday on a three-year, $69 million contract that includes $26 million guaranteed, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. Diggs, who tore his ACL with the Houston Texans in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts last year, is on track to return for Week 1 of the upcoming 2025 season. It's a big reason why the Patriots were comfortable giving the 31-year-old veteran a three-year, $69 million contract. Before his injury last year, Diggs put up 47 receptions on 64 targets for 496 yards and three touchdowns for Houston. In New England (if healthy), he'll be second-year quarterback Drake Maye's unquestioned top wideout, giving him a chance to bounce back in fantasy as a risk/reward WR2. Diggs' fantasy stock will be in flux this summer until he proves he's indeed ready to go without restrictions heading into Week 1.
From RotoBaller
The Seattle Seahawks signed free-agent wide receiver/kick returner Steven Sims to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, according to Corbin K. Smith. Sims will reunite with new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak after playing for him in college at Kansas. The 27-year-old returned a punt for a touchdown earlier in his career and could compete for the kick-returner role on special teams in training camp this summer in Seattle. The former undrafted wideout began his NFL career with the Washington Commanders in 2019 and had his best season in his rookie year, catching 34 of his 56 targets for 310 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (two starts). He appeared in only nine games with the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens in 2024 and washing targeted all on offense on nine total snaps. Fantasy managers can continue to avoid Sims with the Seahawks in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Giants have signed free agent quarterback Russell Wilson. Dynasty Analysis: One of the last big quarterback dominoes has now fallen as Wilson has a new home. While he hasn't been able to produce near the magic he did in Seattle with Denver or Pittsburgh, he was more than competent last season with the Steelers, posting 2,482 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He'll give the Giants another veteran presence as he joins Jameis Winston on the depth chart. This move clearly won't step the Giants from drafting a rookie quarterback but also won't force their hand. Should Wilson enter the season as a starter, he'll be a decent QB2 for as long as he holds the job. He just isn't going to be a long-term answer anywhere at this point in his career, however.