3 unsung heroes from the Vikings win over the Panthers in Week 4

Unsung Hero No. 2

Cam Akers - RB

Let Kwesi cook? He may have done just that when he traded for disgruntled Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers in September. It was a low-risk move for Minnesota, and it seems that it may already be paying dividends for the Vikings.

Akers had a solid first game with Minnesota, turning seven touches into 51 total yards and helping spark the run game that was dragging after the first two weeks of the season.

Akers doesn't appear to currently be the lead back for the Vikings, as Alexander Mattison has started to pick things up. But Akers is already proving to be a locker-room boost and a spark for Minnesota.

After the win over the Panthers, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins praised Akers for the morale boost he gave to the offense, which is great to see from a guy who was just added to the team.

Akers may not put up gaudy numbers in Minnesota, and that's just fine if Mattison continues to play well. But Akers already being a spark on and off the field is a great thing for the Vikings.