Akers has had a rollercoaster career over his first four seasons. He looked like a sensation during his rookie campaign and was poised for a big role in Year 2 before he tore his Achilles in July of 2021. He attempted to return for the Rams’ Super Bowl run that year but was clearly slowed. In 2022, he bounced back, earning career highs with 786 yards and seven TDs.

Then came last year’s spat with the Rams organization and an eventual trade to Minnesota. As he was getting his feet wet with the Vikings, he tore another Achilles.

The 25-year-old’s performance on Thursday showed he still has juice left.

“It makes me feel like I’m still me,” he said. “Obviously, people are going to try to paint a narrative of who I am, the running back position or how it goes. But I just wanted to come out and show people that I’m still me and that I still make plays when given an opportunity. I’ll continue to do that.”

The Texans traded for Joe Mixon this offseason and handed him a new contract. He’s clearly the No. 1. Third-year bulldozer Dameon Pierce is the likely No. 2. Akers, Dare Ogunbowale (who took the first reps Thursday), sixth-round rookie Jawhar Jordan, J.J. Taylor and undrafted rookie British Brooks will battle for the final spots.

Of the running backs who participated on Thursday night, Akers is the only one who didn’t play a special teams snap, per Next Gen Stats, which could make his bid to earn a roster spot more challenging if that trend holds.