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.
OC Bobby Slowik: Running the ball everyone is tied together. We had it in week one. It’s taken long than we have all wanted to get back to what we want to do. #Texans
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) October 3, 2024
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.
No sign of #Texans RB Joe Mixon at practice yet, which isn’t usually a great sign toward availability for Sunday.
DeMeco Ryans has maintained Mixon is ‘day-to-day.’
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) October 3, 2024
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.