Jan. 24, 2026, 4:00 p.m. CT
Two former New Orleans Saints running backs have been elevated for the NFC Championship Game, adding some much-needed depth for the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle lost star running back Zach Charbonnet to a knee injury last week but will be asking Velus Jones Jr. and Cam Akers to back up Kenneth Walker in Sunday’s title fight with the Los Angeles Rams.
Jones, 28, played wide receiver earlier in his career but joined the Saints in the spring as a running back; he made the team after training camp and appeared in five games, almost exclusively on special teams, but was let go in October. He’s rushed for 32 yards on four carries during his time in Seattle.
Akers, 26, tried out alongside Jones at Saints training camp last summer but didn’t make the team. This year he’s appeared in games with both the Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings, totaling 19 rushing yards on five carries. He also had a 32-yard touchdown pass on a trick play with Minnesota. Coincidentally, Akers was a former Rams draft pick.
Will either of them get many touches on Sunday? Not so long as Walker is healthy and running hard, but former Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak clearly feels they can help his team win this game and get to the Super Bowl. We’ll find out very soon if they can go the distance.
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