Tag: Joe Mixon inury

Is Joe Mixon playing today? Injury updates for Texans RB

Texans running back Joe Mixon is dealing with an ankle injury entering the AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Here are the latest updates.

While the Houston Texans are headed to the AFC Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, one of their star players could be limited in Saturday’s showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon dealt with an ankle issue throughout the week of practice and was a late addition to the injury report. He practiced sporadically on Wednesday and didn’t take the field during Thursday’s final walkthrough.

The do-it-all running back has been essential to Houston’s regular-season success en route to a second AFC South division title. The Texans already have dealt with plenty of issues at the receiver spot with season-ending injuries, only adding more to Mixon’s plate.

Right now, the Texans are being cautious with Mixon’s status. And while there is cause for concern, it would be fairly surprising if the running back was sidelined in a winner-take-all showdown.

Here’s the latest on Mixon ahead of Saturday’s showdown between the two AFC contenders in Kansas City.

Joe Mixon injury update

Despite listed as questionable with an ankle injury for Saturday’s contest against Kansas City, KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson reported that Mixon was “good to go” for kickoff.

NFL Network later confirmed the report, stating that Mixon would remain the focal point of the offense on Saturday against the Chiefs.

Mixon’s ankle has been a lingering problem throughout the year. After being brought down with an illegal hip-drop tackle in Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears, he missed three games before returning in Week 6.

Against the Miami Dolphins in Week 15, Mixon was limited in the fourth quarter after being tackled while rolling over on his ankle. He didn’t leave the game, but his burst and acceleration were depleted.

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Texans RB depth chart

Here’s a look at the Texans’ running back options should Mixon be sidelined or limited for Saturday’s showdown:

  • Dameon Pierce
  • Dare Ogunbowale
  • J.J. Taylor (elevated from practice squad)

Joe Mixon stats

After being traded to Houston from the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason, Mixon has become the bell-cow back for the Texans’ offense. The veteran rushed for 1,016 yards off 245 carries for 11 touchdowns. He also added 36 receptions, 309 yards and a touchdown as a receiver.

Mixon became the sixth running back in franchise history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season and the first since Carlos Hyde in 2019.

The former Oklahoma star also became the first Texans running back since Arian Foster in 2012 to rush for over 100 yards in a playoff game after his performance in a 32-12 win against the Chargers last weekend.

Texans star RB Joe Mixon expects to play vs. Chiefs in Week 16

Joe Mixon might be limited at practice, but he’s full-go for Saturday’s showdown in Kansas City.

Joe Mixon might have been limited during Tuesday’s walkthrough practice, but the Houston Texans aren’t worried about his status for Saturday’s road test against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mixon, who’s less than 90 yards away from becoming the first Texans running back to eclipse 1,000 yards in a season since Carlos Hyde in 2019. isn’t concerned, either.

“We’re starting playoff football right now,” Mixon told reporters Tuesday. “I’ve got to be there, and I’m going to be there. I’mma be there for my teammates and obviously for myself.”

Mixon suffered an ankle injury in the first half of Sunday’s win over the Miami Dolphins after linebacker Jordyn Brooks used an illegal hip-drop tackle technique to bring him down. While he never was ruled out, he was limited for most of the second half.

Mixon said he didn’t blame Brooks for the hit because it differed from the tackle made by Chicago Bears linebacker T.J.Edwards in Week 2 that sidelined him for five games.

“People just get lazy on tackles, and unfortunately, that’s the result,” Mixon said. “The best thing is I’m up walking and obviously finished the game.”

Currently averaging 82.7 yards per game, Mixon’s bell-cow, bruising running style has been a constant toward the offensive success. In games where he rushes for 100 yards, the Texans are 5-2.

Kansas City, which could be without three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes because of an ankle injury, is only giving up 91.9 rushing yards per game, the third-fewest in the league.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.

Texans receive significant update on RB Joe Mixon

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon might be back in time to take on the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Joe Mixon might be returning at the right moment for the Houston Texans.

Mixon returned to his first padded practice Thursday, increasing the likelihood of his availability in Sunday’s showdown against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Expected to serve as the backbone of Houston’s ground game, Mixon has been sidelined since Week 2 after Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards used a hip-drop tackle to bring him down in the third quarter.

Mixon did return for a Friday walkthrough in preparation for Week 4’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but given that it wasn’t a physical practice, the Texans elected to shut him down.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has also been adamant about keeping Mixon’s status a weekly update and would not put an exact timetable on the return.

“We’ll continue to see how Joe does throughout the week,” Ryans said of Mixon’s status Wednesday.

Mixon is one of the Texans’ most dangerous weapons when healthy. He had 159 yards rushing on 30 carries and a touchdown in Week 1’s win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Should Mixon be cleared, Houston would have its top four runners back for the first time since Week 1. Dameon Pierce, who was sidelined for four games with a hamstring injury, returned as a part-time participant Wednesday.

“[We’re] excited to have Dameon back, back at practice,” Ryans said. “He’s done a great job with his rehab process and he’s back out working, so we’re expecting to have him ready to go for the game.”

Dare Ogunbowale and Cam Akers have been the top two options at tailback through the past three games. Akers has scored two touchdowns, including a 15-yard run in Week 5’s win over the Bills.

Ogunbowale has been more so the pass-catching option for Houston on third down. In Week 4, he caught a game-winning 1-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud with 18 seconds remaining. Last week, he finished second in receptions with catches for 57 yards.

“He has been huge for us, definitely on third-down,” Stroud said. “I definitely feel like he will continue to do that for us.”

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.