The roster cutdown deadline is one of the most brutal times on the NFL calendar. Every year, hundreds of players who have poured their lives into the game are told they won’t be making their team’s initial 53-man roster. Dreams are dashed, players are pushed out of the league, and rookies try to find new homes.
It can be especially brutal news for once-promising veterans who haven’t had much success finding a home in recent years. That rings true for RB Cam Akers, who found out he was being cut by the New Orleans Saints on Monday morning. Before anyone had even reported the news, he posted a short but pointed message on X/Twitter: “NFL a crazy place.”
Cynics will roll their eyes at such a sentiment, but Akers’ echoes the feelings of many NFL players who are now finding themselves without a home in the league. Some will land on practice squads, be claimed on waivers, or added mid-season by an injury-ravaged team. But most won’t, and for them, all they can do is hope to land a spot in a training camp next year.
Cam Akers’ NFL Career Has Been Defined By Injury
Ronald Martinez/GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 10: Cam Akers #26 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half during a NFL Preseason 2025 game at SoFi Stadium on August 10, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
At one time, Akers was a top draft prospect out of Florida State. He was named second-team All-ACC as a junior and ran for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also added 225 receiving yards and four more touchdowns through the air. After the season, he declared for the draft, and was a second-round pick by the Rams.
As a rookie, Akers made an immediate impact, scoring three total touchdowns and being a major factor in the Rams‘ running back rotation. He had some big performances in the playoffs and entered the 2021 season as the favorite to start. However, he tore his Achilles right before training camp, ending his season before it began.
…Or so it would seem. Akers was one of the first to receive a new surgery that dramatically shortened the recovery time on Achilles injuries, and he was able to return to the field for the final game of the regular season. He wasn’t his old, explosive self, but he played a key role for the team on the way to a Super Bowl win.
Since then, Akers has bounced around the league, seeming to have lost a step since the injury. It’s an unfortunate development, but he’ll have an opportunity to land somewhere else after it didn’t work out in New Orleans.
Clear Depth Chart at RB for the New Orleans Saints
Akers may not be happy about it, but the depth chart at running back is pretty cut-and-dry for the Saints. Alvin Kamara is the star in the backfield, and he’ll continue to get the bulk of the work as he has for years. Spelling him is third-year back Kendre Miller, who’s shown flashes as an explosive between-the-tackles runner. Rookie Devin Neal is the third-stringer, and he can be dangerous in the open field. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is also hanging around as a backup receiving back.
There just wasn’t room for Akers in New Orleans if he wasn’t able to beat out Miller. In all likelihood, he’ll land on a practice squad at worst.
Veteran RB Cam Akers Shares 4-Word Message After He’s Cut by the Saints