NFL fans react to Cam Akers signing with Texans - "They are a serious contender," "How much help does CJ Stroud need?"

Cam Akers was among a list of high-profile players who went unsigned during the initial free-agency splash in March. But at last, he finally has a team. On Sunday, the Houston Texans were announced to have signed the one-time Super Bowl champion running back after a workout.

Unless he is ditched during final cuts at the end of August, he is expected to be the third-stringer at his position, behind trade acquisition Joe Mixon and incoming third-year player Dameon Pierce.

Fans shuddered at the signing:

"Texans are a serious contender"

More reactions can be seen below:

"Nice depth option", one opined.

"INVESTIGATE THE TEXANS", another demanded.

"Need all the help they can get to beat Will Levis", yet another's claim went.

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What Cam Akers had been doing before joining Texans

A look into Cam Akers' career so far reveals a once-promising player who has fallen on hard times since he showed some initial promise.

He was sparingly used as a rookie by the Los Angeles Ram in 2020, but first made his mark against the New England Patriots, against whom he rushed for 171 yards on 29 carries - which earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week. He followed it up by scoring a rushing touchdown in both the Rams' playoff games.

But then he tore his Achilles tendon during next year's summer camp. After being sidelined for the rest of the season, he underwent SpeedBridge surgery (two years before Aaron Rodgers) and managed to return just before the playoffs.

Akers had his best performance in 2022, rushing for 786 yards and nine touchdowns on 188 carries, all career-highs. However, the Rams experienced one of the worst championship hangovers in sports history.

That promise looked to continue into 2023, as he had 29 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in a 30-13 win at the Seattle Seahawks on opening week. However, he was benched for Kyren Williams before the 23-20 loss at the San Francisco 49ers the following week.

Three days after that game, Akers was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, where he played only six games before hurting his Achilles.

Now with the Texans, he puts Dameon Pierce on the hot seat. Having performed well as a rookie starter in 2022, Pierce was demoted to punt returns in 2023 for Devin Singletary; and given their similarities, FanSided's Chad Porto believes it will only inspire him to rebound:

"(Akers is) the same size as Pierce, both about 5'10 and 218 lbs, only a few pounds lighter than Mixon. He's got a bit of a similar style to Pierce, making his arrival a clear sign that Pierce needs to up his game. Pushing Pierce, who had a rough 2023 season, isn't the worst idea."

Texans preseason camp commences on July 23.