Atlanta traded Ridder to Arizona for receiver Rondale Moore in March 2024. Moore missed all of last season with a knee injury before signing with the Vikings this offseason. The receiver and return specialist landed on Injured Reserve after a knee injury in Minnesota’s preseason opener against Houston.
The Raiders signed Ridder from the Cardinals practice squad in October 2024. He appeared in six games and made one start for Las Vegas. He completed 52 of 85 passes for 687 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Raiders, totaling a passer rating of 73.6.
Akers, 26, rejoins Minnesota for his third stint with the franchise after he was released by the Saints during their August roster trimmings and became a free agent. The Vikings completed mid-season trades for Akers each of the past two years. He was acquired first from the Rams on Sept. 20, 2023, and appeared in six games for Minnesota before tearing his Achilles. Last year, the team landed Akers on Oct. 15 via a trade with the Texans; he played in 13 games for the Purple including the Wild Card loss to L.A. in Arizona.
Akers is beloved inside the building for his professionalism and inspiring personal journey.
Also, he possesses important familiarity with Head Coach Kevin O’Connell’s scheme. Along with his experience in the Vikings system, Akers teamed with O’Connell and Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips when they were part of the Rams staff in 2020-21. The running back returned from a 2021 Achilles injury in time for Los Angeles’ run to Super Bowl LVI, carrying the rock 67 times over four postseason games.
Jones, who caught a 27-yard touchdown at Chicago in Week 1, departed Sunday Night Football with a hamstring injury, leaving Jordan Mason as the top option. Fourth-year running back Ty Chandler is currently on short-term Injured Reserve, so Zavier Scott is also a candidate for a role on offense.
Mason leads the Vikings (1-1) with 98 yards on 24 carries (4.1 avg.).
In 53 career games and 17 starts, Akers has amassed 502 rushes for 2,025 yards (4.0 avg.) and 13 touchdowns. Through the air, he has secured 52 of 65 targets for 388 yards and four touchdowns.
Across 18 total regular-season games with Minnesota, the 2020 second-round draft pick out of Florida State has averaged 4.3 yards per rush, gaining 435 yards and two touchdowns on 102 attempts. Additionally, he has produced 21 catches for 122 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the pass phase.
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