Tag: Joe Mixon injury

Texans Wire Player of the Game: RB Joe Mixon

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon put up a hat trick during Monday Night Football’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.

When the Houston Texans traded for Joe Mixon this offseason, many figured he’d be around for a one-year deal.

When the Texans inked him to a new three-year extension, there were some concerns. Most running backs dwindle with age, leading to regression in carries and explosive runs.

That memo hasn’t reached Mixon entering mid-November down off NRG Drive.

Mixon scored three touchdowns in a 34-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football” at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. He finished 109 rushing yards and averaged 5.5 yards per play.

“Joe, when he’s on, he’s a force for us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “The run game starts with our offensive line. I challenged them to play fast, play aggressive. I thought they did a really nice job. I really like the way we just kept churning it in the run game, and proud of the guys for stepping up to the challenge.”

After Nico Collins’ 78-yard touchdown reception was called back on the opening play, Houston trusted its ground game. Mixon broke free for a 45-yard score, his second-longest run of the regular season to give the Texans an early 7-0 lead.

He also scored on a 2-yard run in the first quarter and a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Mixon, who finished 109 rushing yards, tied a Texans single-game record for rushing touchdowns, becoming the fourth player in franchise history to accomplish the feat.

“I think everybody was dialed in on the game plan, and we came out here and executed for four quarters,” Mixon said. “It was a great thing to see the O-line pretty much go out there and impose their will.”

The Texans also showed promise on the offensive line. C.J. Stroud completed 67.7% of his passes for 257 yards and an interception. He also was only sacked once and pressured three times.

But Mixon scored the points, so he’s Week 11’s Player of the Week for Texans Wire. This marks the third time he’s taken home the title after putting up a league-leading 159 yards in Week 1 and 115 yards in Week 7.

The Texans return to NRG Stadium to take on the Tennessee Titans this Sunday at noon CT.

Texans RB Joe Mixon receives promotion following hot start

Joe Mixon has been named a team captain for the Houston Texans for the remainder of the season.

Joe Mixon is getting promoted.

The Houston Texans have named the Pro Bowl running a team captain for the remainder of the season. Mixon will replace Stefon Diggs, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 8’s win over the Indianapolis Colts.

“It’s a blessing,” Mixon said Friday. “I’m very grateful.”

If anyone has proven their value as a captain, it’s Mixon. Off the field, he’s been called a leader who wants perfection in every minor detail. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud mentioned Mixon’s attentiveness to the play and willingness to call players and coaches if they’re underperforming.

“That is what you want because at the end of the day. We all came here for one common goal and that is to win,” Stroud said. “If that is hurting somebody’s feelings, we are grown men, we get paid to do this. So, you have to be able to understand it, take it for love because he really just cares about the game, and he cares about this team and his coaches.

“I love Joe.”

On the field, Mixon remains the definition of consistency. Since returning from an ankle injury suffered in Week 2, he’s rushed for over 100 yards in each contest and scored at least one touchdown.

Since being traded to Houston this offseason, Mixon has averaged 4.8 yards per attempt and 101.5 yards per game. He’s scored six touchdowns on 126 rushing attempts.

“He very much exemplifies what we believe, as far as a Texans mindset,” offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “He plays fast, he is physical, he is tough, and you make sure you know it and you see it. Every time he touches a rock, and every time he does out in practice, how he approaches the meetings. He goes about it the way everyone in the Texans organization should go about it.”

Mixon will debut as the Texans’ newest captain this Sunday Night when the AFC South leaders welcome the Detroit Lions to NRG Stadium. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

Texans RB Joe Mixon hits career milestone in return vs. Patriots

Joe Mixon crossed a career milestone in his return for the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon against the New England Patriots.

Welcome back, Joe Mixon. Also, welcome to the history books.

Back in the lineup with the Houston Texans for the first time since Week 6, Mixon surpassed a career milestone, recording his 100th career game. He came out the gate swinging against the New England Patriots, scoring on a 10-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to help Houston secure a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

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Mixon would have crossed off the marker in Week 3 if not for an ankle injury suffered against the Chicago Bears. During the third quarter, Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards recorded an illegal hip drop tackle and rolled over Mixon’s ankle.

He never found a consistent ability to practice, leading to him missing three games. Before that, the former Cincinnati Bengals star was off to a record-setting start with a 159-yard rushing performance in Week 1’s win over the Indianapolis Colts.

During the second quarter, Mixon proved that his ankle was fine after breaking free for a 59-yard run to set up Houston inside the red zone.

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That one run puts him over his Week 2 total of 50 yards. The hope is Houston will have a blend of speed and power with the return of Dameon Pierce.

With a win, the Texans would advance to 5-1, marking their best start since 2012.

Watch: Texans RB Joe Mixon scores first TD since Week 1 vs. Patriots

Welcome back to the end zone, Joe Mixon.

A trap game for the Houston Texans? Far from it with the return of Joe Mixon. 

After being cleared to play for the first time in three weeks, Mixon came out swinging on the ground versus the New England Patriots. After failing to make it in the end zone on Houston’s opening drive, the former Pro Bowl runner capped off an eight-play, 45-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown reception from quarterback C.J. Stroud.

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The Texans lead 14-0 entering the second quarter and continue to drive against a Patriots team breaking in a new quarterback in rookie Drake Maye. So far, Stroud is 8-for-11 for 81 yards and two touchdown passes, including one to receiver Tank Dell.

Mixon, who joined Houston this offseason after spending seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, has missed the past three games with an ankle injury. Back in Week 1, he led the league in rushing with 159 yards and a touchdown while averaging 5.3 yards per play.

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He’s been itching to get back on the field and take pressure off Storud and the passing game. So far, everyone is stepping up in place of the injured Nico Collins.

Collins, who entered Sunday with an NFL-leading 567 yards, will miss the next four games after being placed on the injured reserve earlier this week.

Will Texans RB Joe Mixon be ready for Week 6 matchup vs. Patriots?

Joe Mixon could be suiting up for the first time in three weeks this Sunday for the Houston Texans.

Joe Mixon finally appeared on the injury report with a positive outlook for the first time in three weeks.

The Houston Texans starting running back was listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots after practicing Friday afternoon. This marks the second consecutive day of training, meaning there’s a likelihood that Mixon could travel with the team and suit up at Gillette Stadium.

Fellow running back Dameon Pierce will play after missing the previous four games with a hamstring injury. He was a full participant in practice the past two days.

Mixon will have to pass all tests leading up to the game, meaning the training staff will have the final say on if he’s cleared to play. Still, it’s progress. Mixon has barely practiced since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears.

Chicago linebacker T.J. Edwards was fined for using an illegal hip-drop tackle technique during the third quarter of Week 2’s matchup on Sunday night football. Edwards continued to play while Mixon was sidelined for three weeks.

Entering the matchup, the former Cincinnati Bengals star led the league with 159 rushing yards and 178 total yards. He was essential in helping Houston secure a win on the road against the Indianapolis Colts.

“I’m just going to keep on working, and when it’s time to be out there, I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to show I’m the best on the field,” Mixon said Thursday. “It’s as simple as that.”

Even if Mixon were to return, New England’s been one of the better teams defending the run. They enter Sunday under first-year coach Jerod Mayo boasting the seventh-best run defense while holding 4.2 yards per carry,

“They’re going to make you earn it,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said.  “They’re going to make you – they’re going to strain. They’re going to make you really work to get points against this defense. So, despite their record, I can see [Mayo’s] imprints all over this team with their physicality, their mindset and the way they’re playing football.”

With Mixon absent, Houston has relied on the combination of Dare Ogunbowale and Cam Akers. Since Week 2, the Texans have averaged just 77 rushing yards per game.

Kickoff at noon CT.

Texans RB Joe Mixon sounds off on illegal hip-drop tackle

Joe Mixon did not hold back following his first media availability since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2.

Houston Texans fans have been waiting to see Joe Mixon find a hole and pulverize opponents as the top back on Sundays.

Guess what? So has Mixon.

“I want to be out there more than anybody,” Mixon said Thursday following his first padded practice in three weeks.

Mixon, who still might not be cleared on Sunday when the Texans take on the New England Patriots, hasn’t played since Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears because of an illegal hip-drop tackle used by linebacker T.J. Edwards.

The hit was banned by the NFL this offseason and was supposed to lead to a fine and a 15-yard penalty. Mixon sounded off on the officials after they ruled it a fair tackle.

Edwards was later fined but got to play the following Sunday. Mixon has missed the last three games and finally looks healthy enough to practice.

“You got to think I was No. 1 in the league in rushing; I want to be out there,” Mixon said Thursday. “Obviously, I was stopped because of that weak ass hip-drop tackle. I can’t do nothing about that.”

While Mixon practiced in a limited capacity two weeks ago before Week 4’s matchup against the Jaguars, he medically was not ready to return. He missed the next several practices and only returned at limited capacity on both Thursday and Friday.

The Texans have gotten by without a stable ground game, but adding in Mixon might be beneficial now with Nico Collins off to the injured reserve. Houston’s offense has gone through C.J. Stroud and the league’s leading target five games into the new campaign.

Having back Mixon would be a welcomed addition against a stout New England defense.

“I’m just going to keep on working, and when it’s time to be out there, I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to show I’m the best on the field,” Mixon said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Kickoff from Gillette Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.

Texans RB Joe Mixon ruled out for Sunday’s matchup vs. Bills

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon will miss his third straight game due to an ankle injury.

This story has been updated with further information

Another week, another matchup where the Houston Texans must trust the duo of Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale.

Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon is out for Week 5’s showdown against the Buffalo Bills, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport.

Fellow running back Dameon Pierce is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury after returning to practice Friday.

Mixon, who returned last Friday to partake in team drills, was a no-show on Wednesday and Thursday, indicating that Houston could again be in trouble. Thursday’s practice is usually Houston’s most strenuous, while Fridays are a walkthrough.

Mixon’s inability to practice with limited contact laid out warning signs that the Texans could be in trouble on the ground.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday that Mixon would be “day-to-day.” When asked about his availability for Sunday, Ryans said, “We’ll see,” indicating that Thursday’s practice likely would determine the outlook.

Having Mixon back would have benefitted the Texans against one of the league’s worst run defenses. Buffalo enters NRG Stadium allowing a league-leading 5.7 yards per run.

In Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Bills allowed 271 rushing yards and 8.0 yards per run, 199 of which came from Derrick Henry.

“Baltimore seems far more like an anomaly than a norm. They had some mental mistakes that happened that created some plays that really haven’t shown up on their tape,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “They give some yards in the run game but over the course of the game they don’t believe you are going to keep doing it and keep doing it, eventually they will get you to a third down and they are pretty good in third down. It is a challenge for us.”

Mixon’s departure likely means that Akers will serve as the top runner for the third straight game. The former second-round pick rushed for a season-high 53 yards in Sunday’s win over the Jaguars and scored a 6-yard touchdown in Week 3’s loss against the Vikings.

Akers could be something still in Houston’s backfield after totaling 74 yards on 22 carries across his two starts in the preseason.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Texans RB Joe Mixon’s status remains uncertain for Week 5

Joe Mixon looks to be declining heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

Joe Mixon’s status for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills remains a mystery.

The Houston Texans Pro Bowl running back once again did not practice because of the lingering ankle injury Thursday in preparation for Week 5’s matchup at NRG Stadium. Pro Bowl tackle Laremy Tunsil returned after missing Wednesday with an ankle issue.

While Mixon returned to practice last Friday, it was more so a walk-through rather than full practice. He’s yet to run drills during the more challenging practices and still won’t be full-go even if he were to return Friday morning.

Nothing is ruled out. Mixon could miss practice all week but be cleared at the last second. He could practice Friday before being ruled out for his third consecutive game.

The Texans have struggled to push the ball on the ground. In Sunday’s win over the Jaguars, Houston averaged 3.9 yards per run, though Dare Ogunbowale scored on a 1-yard touchdown pass with 18 seconds remaining.

Receiver Stefon Diggs scored a touchdown on an 8-yard run during the first quarter.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters Wednesday that Mixon would “day-to-day.” When asked about his availability for Sunday, Ryans was more so in a “wait and see” approach.

Receiver Tank Dell and safety Jimmie Ward also practiced for the second consecutive day after sitting out in Sunday’s win. Dell, who suffered a chest injury in Week 3’s loss against the Minnesota Vikings, is expected to play on Sunday.

Ward will likely go if he practices on Friday.

Kickoff against Buffalo at NRG Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.

Texans vs. Jaguars: RB Joe Mixon ruled out against Jaguars

The Houston Texans will be without their top running back, Joe Mixon, against the Jacksonville Jaguars as he rehabs his ankle injury.

For the second straight week Cam Akers will be the Houston Texans leading running back. Already without backup Dameon Pierce, Houston ruled out Joe Mixon with a sprained ankle.

Mixon returned to practice on Friday, sparking some optimism he may return. He arrived on Sunday as a game time decision, but will not be on the field as he continues to rehab the ankle injury he sustained in Week 2.

The former Pro Bowl running back left early in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears after linebacker T.J. Edwards committed what appeared to be a hip drop tackle, which was banned by the league in the offseason. Edwards received a $16,883 fine for the play.

Mixon rushed for a team-high 184 yards in the first two weeks, including a 159-yard debut in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. Since the Texans 213 yards in Week 1, they’ve totaled just 113 on the ground.

Akers will assume lead back duties again, after rushing for 21 yards on nine attempts. Akers is in first season with Houston after previous stints with the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings.

Houston also elevated running back J.J. Taylor from the practice squad to provide more depth behind Akers and passing down back Dare Ogunbowale.

Mixon and Tank Dell are two of the offensive weapons missing for quarterback C.J. Stroud, who will attempt to lift the unit after scoring just seven points a week ago.

Texans receive positive update surrounding RB Joe Mixon’s status

Houston Texans Joe Mixon could be gearing up to play Sunday after practicing for the first time in nearly two weeks.

While he’s not officially back, the Houston Texans received positive news surrounding Joe Mixon.

The Pro Bowl running back returned to practice for the first time in nearly two weeks after suffering an ankle injury on Sunday Night Football against the Chicago Bears.

With Dameon Pierce still sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Texans could turn to Mixon as the feature runner on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Mixon missed five consecutive practices after leaving Week 2’s matchup during the fourth quarter. Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards used an illegal hip-drop tackle to bring him down. While Mixon immediately got checked out in both the blue tent and locker room, he was limited to two carries for five yards over the final 15 minutes.

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Edwards was fined $16,883 for the now illegal technique but was not flagged on the play.

In last week’s loss against the Minnesota Vikings, Houston’s ground game was docile with Cam Akers. The Texans totaled 38 rushing yards on 14 carries.

Having Mixon back would be critical to establishing a consistent ground game against a Jaguars roster that struggles to defend the run. It would also be better to indicate where the Texans stand with their rushing attack entering October.

Mixon, who inked a three-year, $27 million contract in March, rushed for just 25 yards on nine carries in the home opener after blasting off against the Colts for 159 yards on 30 carries.

Wide receiver Nico Collins returned to practice after being limited Thursday with a hamstring injury. Collins is trending toward playing Sunday as he looks to keep pace as the NFL’s top receiving threat entering Week 5.

Currently, Collins leads the NFL with 338 receiving yards on 18 receptions. Sunday could mark the breakout game for Stefon Diggs with Tank Dell potentially being out.

Kickoff against Jacksonville is scheduled for noon CT.