Saints Cut Cam Akers: Surprise in the Backfield Before the Season

METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints announced on Monday the release of veteran running back Cam Akers. Akers, selected in the second round of the 2020 draft, signed with the Saints in June and was competing for a backup position behind Alvin Kamara. Akers’ release is part of a series of 14 moves the Saints made before Tuesday’s roster cut deadline. Saints coach Kellen Moore commented on the situation:

“It’s difficult, because he’s a very good runner in this league. He can contribute for us, we just feel that, because of the depth of that group, Kendre [Miller] did a phenomenal job. We have several other guys that we feel can play some roles. We will finalize the rest of this group of runners, but we feel we have a very good group there.”

Kellen Moore, Saints Coach

Akers began his career with the Los Angeles Rams and has played for the Houston Texans and the Minnesota Vikings in two different stints. The Texans traded him to the Vikings last season, where he played in 12 games, running the ball 64 times for 297 yards and a touchdown. He also caught 10 passes for 52 yards and two touchdowns while with Minnesota last year. The Saints haven’t finalized their 53-player roster yet, but they currently have Kamara, Miller, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Devin Neal, Marcus Yarns, and Velus Jones Jr. in their running back group.

Cam Akers reacted to his release on X: “The NFL is a crazy place”