The Texans downgraded starting running back Joe Mixon from questionable to out of Houston’s Week 4 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the hours before the game on Sunday, per NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.
Mixon missed Week 3 with an ankle injury, which restricted him to one limited practice session leasing up to Houston’s AFC South bout with Jacksonville. Schultz reported Mixon tested out his ankle before the game and that the Texans decided to rest him for one more week.
Mixon was traded to Houston from Cincinnati, where he began his NFL career in 2017, this offseason. He quickly signed a two-year, $19.5 million contract extension with the Texans to take over as their starting running back.
He generated 184 rushing yards and one touchdown over his first 39 carries with the team, and added six receptions for 44 yards before suffering his injury.
Houston will also be without backup running back Dameon Pierce, who was ruled out Friday with a hamstring injury.
Cam Akers is expected to start in place of Mixon and Pierce after rushing for a combined 53 yards over 16 attempts against Chicago and Minnesota in Weeks 2-3.
The Jaguars and Texans are expected to publish their inactive lists around 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday.