New Orleans Saints release RB Cam Akers among roster moves

The New Orleans Saints released running back Cam Akers among their roster moves Monday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Saints were the fourth team of his career.

“Saints released running back Cam Akers,” Schefter wrote on Twitter/X. “And waived the following 13 players: punter James Burnip, wide receivers Roderick Daniels Jr. and Moochie Dixon, defensive ends Jasheen Davis, Jeremiah Martin and Omari Thomas, tackles Josiah Ezirimand Jonathan Mendoza, tight ends Seth Greenand Michael Jacobson, guards Kyle Hergel and Mike Panasiuk, and linebacker Tyreem Powell.”

Akers spent the 2024 season with the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings after he was traded after five games. He finished the year with 104 carries for 444 yards and two touchdowns.

Akers began his career with the Los Angeles Rams after they drafted him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Florida State. He was apart of the the Rams Super Bowl team in 2021, but played just one game due to injury.

After a solid rookie season and missing his second year, Akers had a breakout 2022. He ran 188 times for 786 yards, nine touchdowns and 4.2 yards per carry.

However, after playing just one game to start 2023, Akers was inactive for Week 2 for unspecified reasons. The Rams traded Akers to the Vikings and he played in six games for the team, before suffering an Achilles injury in November. He would sign with the Texans in the offseason and play a short stint with the team before being traded back to Minnesota.

It remains to be seen what’s next for Akers after not making the 53-man roster in New Orleans. The Saints also feature, as of now, running backs Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Velus Jones Jr.

Akers was a star with the Seminoles at the college level. He finished his three seasons with 586 carries for 2,875 yards, 27 touchdowns and 4.9 yards per carry. He also reeled in 69 catches for 486 yards and seven touchdowns.

As a member of the Class of 2017, Akers was a five-star-plus recruit out of Clinton (Miss.) High, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 2 running back in the class and the No. 4 overall prospect in the class.