For the second straight year, the Vikings are adding running back Cam Akers as a midseason addition.

They acquired Akers in a trade with the Texans on the condition that he pass a physical exam, making an inexpensive move to add depth to their backfield.

The Vikings are sending a 2026 conditional sixth-round pick to Houston in exchange for the running back and a conditional seventh-round pick.

After joining the Vikings in a trade with the Rams last September, Akers ran for 138 yards on 38 carries and caught another 11 passes for 70 yards before tearing his Achilles tendon in his heel for the second time in his career.

Akers tore his left Achilles tendon against the Falcons in 2023 after tearing his right Achilles tendon in 2021. But after recovering from surgery, he signed with Houston and started two games this year, gaining 147 yards on 40 carries.

Coach Kevin O’Connell has long held Akers in high regard, and the Vikings brought him back while running back Aaron Jones is dealing with a right hip injury.

Jones participated in the Vikings’ light practice on Monday, eight days after leaving the team’s game with the Jets early in the third quarter. O’Connell has described Jones’ status as “week-to-week,” and while the Vikings are optimistic they have avoided a long-term injury with the 29-year-old, it’s possible he won’t play against the Lions on Sunday becomes .

Akers, already familiar with the Vikings’ system, gives the team another option in depth alongside Ty Chandler should Jones be sidelined.