Joe Mixon is back for the Houston Texans.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport, Mixon is cleared and will play in Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots. The Pro Bowl running back has been out since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears.
Mixon, who inked a three-year extension after being traded to Houston from Cincinnati this offseason, got off to a hot start, rushing for 159 yards and a touchdown in a 29-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.
#Texans RB Joe Mixon, who has missed the last several games with a high-ankle sprain, is expected back in the lineup today, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 13, 2024
He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week and led all players in total yards with 178.
But Mixon was sidelined for three weeks after Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards used an illegal hip-drop tackle to bring him down. While Edwards was fined for the hit, Mixon took the brunt of the impact with the injury.
“I was the No. 1 leader in rushing. I was stopped because of that weak-ass hip-drop tackle,” he told reporters Thursday. “I can’t do nothing about that. It’s frustrating, it is what it is. I want to be out there more than anybody.”
When healthy, Mixon remains the Texans’ top rusher. He leads the team in yards but a decent amount over Cam Akers, who currently has 148 yards.
Joe Mixon on a potential return from injury and how frustrating it’s been to miss time due to an illegal hip drop tackle: pic.twitter.com/R5iP4xzqKN
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) October 10, 2024
Akers is averaging nearly a yard fewer (3.9) than Mixon (4.7) through five games.
The return of Mixon is a welcomed one after the Texans lost star receiver Nico Collins to the injured reserve. Collins, who leads the NFL with 567 receiving yards, pulled his hamstring last week in the Texans’ 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.