Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon started the regular season with a dominant performance that had many excited about a potential work-horse role on his new team. Then Mixon suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 and has yet to return to action in 2024.
Will Joe Mixon Be Active in Week 6?
While the Texans are currently 4-1 and have managed to win without Mixon, they are eagerly awaiting his return as Houston’s backfield continues to deal with injuries. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans provided an update on Mixon’s status on Monday.
“For Joe (Mixon) and his injury, we will still evaluate that week to week,” Ryans said, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. “He has definitely been improving week to week.”
Given Ryans’ uncertain answer, it’s hard to judge where exactly Mixon is in his recovery from his ankle injury. While a week-to-week designation isn’t exactly encouraging, Ryans did state that Mixon has definitely been improving with each passing week.
We’ll continue to monitor Mixon’s status throughout the week, as he has participated in just one practice since suffering his ankle injury in Week 2. If Mixon begins to participate in practice this week, that would be an encouraging sign for his availability in Week 6.
Mixon’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
After his dominant performance in Week 1, it’s hard to view Mixon as anything other than a potential RB1 if he returns this week. Mixon finished as the second-highest scoring RB in Week 1, as he totaled 159 rushing yards on 30 rushing attempts while also adding three receptions for 19 yards.
Yet given Ryans seemingly referred to Mixon as “day-to-day” or “week-to-week” since his injury initially occurred, it’s hard to find any certainty about his status in Week 6. If Mixon is unable to play, Houston will be prepared to get the job done as they have been forced to do so since his Week 2 injury.
Dare Ogunbowale leads Houston’s backfield with 136 total snaps played this season, according to TruMedia. Cam Akers is second on the team with 94 total snaps played.
If Mixon continues to miss games, Ogunbowale could be the player to start in your fantasy football league in Houston’s backfield. Ogunbowale out-snapped Akers 67.7% to 32.4% in Week 5.
While Akers scored the only touchdown between both players in Week 5, Ogunbowale offers significantly more upside in PPR scoring leagues to do his ability as a pass catcher. Ogunbowale has 10 receptions for 104 yards and one touchdown over Houston’s last two games.
Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik offered his take on Ogunbowale, Akers, and Mixon last week.
#Texans OC Bobby Slowik on running game with Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale and update on Joe Mixon @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/CcMpy7mpI4
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL)
