INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 09: Cam Akers #23 of the Los Angeles Rams smiles during warm up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Texans sign veteran RB Cam Akers

Apparently, the Texans may not be as set at running back as first thought. The team worked out veteran and former second-round pick Cam Akers and then signed him to a contract over the weekend. Akers, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings where he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 9. It’s the second such injury during the 25-year-old’s NFL career. Akers, a fifth-year pro out of Florida State, joins a running back room that already includes Pro Bowler Joe Mixon and Texans two-year starter Dameon Pierce.

Devin Davis boosts Forever Coogs during TBT second round

Former UH forward Devin Davis had 20 points and six rebounds to help lift the Forever Coogs’ to a 79-76 win against Once A Bronco during The Basketball Tournament action.

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 20: Trevor Keels #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates hitting a three point shot against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half in the second round game of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 20, 2022 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

Trevor Keels comes up big for Rockets in Summer League action

Rockets guard and former Duke standout Trevor Keels contributed 22 points and four assists during a 105-95 victory over Portland in Summer League play.

Prairie View tabbed to finish second in SWAC West

Defending SWAC West champ Prairie View has been picked to finish second behind Alcorn State in the division in the SWAC Preseason Poll. Texas Southern is picked to finish last in the division. Prairie View and Texas Southern both had one player make the Preseason SWAC First Team Defense squad. Panthers defensive lineman CJ Pressley and Tigers linebacker Jacob Williams both made the first team.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 09: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury poses for a portrait during media day at Footprint Center on May 09, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Brittney Griner, wife welcomes new son

WNBA star and Houston native Brittney Griner and her wife, Cherelle, gave birth to their first child together over the weekend. The couple now has a son. ‘I’m super excited,’ Griner said during an interview with CBS. ‘Well, I mean, I guess I’ll just drop it… he’s here. Seven pounds eight ounces. Yeah, that’s my man!’” Griner also has twins with ex-wife Glory Johnson.

SWAC moving basketball tournaments to Atlanta

The SWAC men’s and women’s basketball tournaments are shifting from Birmingham to Atlanta. The tournaments will be played March 11-15 at the Gateway Center Arena.

I've been with The Defender since August 2019. I'm a long-time sportswriter who has covered everything from college sports to the Texans and Rockets during my 16 years of living in the Houston market....