Last week, the Houston Texans didn’t have star running back Joe Mixon, and they were blown out 34-7 by the Minnesota Vikings. Will Mixon return to the lineup today when the Texans face the Jacksonville Jaguars? Here’s the latest on Mixon’s status.
The Latest on Joe Mixon’s Injury
No, Mixon won’t be playing today against the Jaguars. While he was listed as a game-time decision, Mixon is inactive for today’s game.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Mixon tested his injured ankle this morning and, while he has been feeling better, both sides agreed to take the safe route and rest him for one more week.
Source: #Texans RB Mixon will be OUT today vs the #Jaguars due to his ankle injury. Mixon tested it this morning, and while he's feeling better, everyone agreed to take the safe route and give him another week. pic.twitter.com/o0UslcgU6J
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 29, 2024
This is a positive sign, as it sounds like Mixon will be back in Week 5 when the Texans face the Buffalo Bills.
Mixon initially suffered this injury during Week 2 when the Texans were facing the Chicago Bears on “Sunday Night Football.”
Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards brought him down using a hip-drop tackle, causing Mixon’s right leg to be rolled up, and he was in pain as he left the field. Edwards was later fined $16,833 for the hit.
To understand Mixon’s importance to Houston’s offense, consider this stat: the Texans ran for 213 yards in their season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts, but they’ve run for just 113 yards in the two games since (against the Vikings and Bears).
Who Will Step Up in Mixon’s Absence?
Mixon has more than 2,000 touches throughout his NFL career and the Texans are hoping to contend this season, so it makes sense to be cautious with their star running back rather than rush him back for an early-season contest.
With Mixon out and RB2 Dameon Pierce also sidelined with a hamstring injury, Cam Akers received the bulk of the work in Week 3 against Minnesota, carrying the ball nine times for 21 yards plus catching one pass for eight yards and Houston’s lone touchdown.
We saw some burst from Akers this preseason and got a glimpse of that on Sunday, but because the Texans were tailing for 62 of their 63 plays, we didn’t get the sort of volume we were hoping for (Houston finished with 14 rushing attempts).
Mixon and Pierce have both been ruled out once again for Week 4, so expect Akers to continue starting. Ogunbuwale could also mix in, although he didn’t receive a carry in Week 3 in his 28 snaps.
Akers will be a low-end RB2 this week. This looks like a positive matchup based on the spread, but Jacksonville does rank 20th in defensive success rate against the run.
Houston has running back J.J. Taylor on their practice squad, and he was elevated for Sunday’s game against Minnesota.