Akers took first-team snaps at practices Wednesday and Thursday while Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) sitting out both sessions, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

A healthy inactive Week 1 despite completing his recovery from a torn left Achilles' tendon without any setbacks, Akers could suddenly find himself in a leading role out of the backfield for a potent Houston offense two weeks later. As Wilson notes, the ankle injury that Mixon suffered in the second half of last Sunday's win over the Bears isn't regarded as a long-term concern, but the back-to-back absences at practice make it increasingly likely that he'll be sidelined for this weekend's game versus the Vikings. Wilson adds that Pierce is also close to a return after sitting out the Week 2 contest, but he appears to be trending toward another absence this weekend. While serving as the No. 2 back behind Mixon in Week 2, Akers was productive with seven carries for 32 yards and one catch for three yards, though he lost a red-zone fumble in the win. If Mixon and Pierce are both sidelined Sunday in Minnesota, Akers should operate as Houston's lead ballcarrier, though he would likely cede some passing-down work to Dare Ogunbowale.