OCTOBER 12: Mixon is expected to play on Sunday vs. the Patriots, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Mixon ($6,900) is back in the Texans’ lineup for the first time since Week 2, so expect some rust. However, he’ll get to face a Patriots team allowing 158 rushing yards over their past three games, fourth-worst in the NFL. In addition, wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is out, so Houston should run the ball more than usual. Mixon still has some risk coming off an injury, but he should demand double-digit carries in Week 6.
Joe Mixon got off to a great start in his Houston Texans tenure by recording 159 rushing yards and a touchdown in his Week 1 debut. The hype was short-lived, as the former Bengals standout suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 which has kept him out since then.
Mixon’s outlook is as positive as we’ve seen leading into this week. He is still listed as questionable on the Texans’ injury report and a final determination will likely be made at the team’s walkthrough on Saturday. However, his participation in practice is a great sign as far as his status is concerned, though he remained limited on both Thursday and Friday.
How have Texans RBs fared without Mixon?
While things seem to be trending toward Mixon being available in Week 6, there is no guarantee he will return to his full workload.
Dameon Pierce was expected to be the running back to pick up the slack, but he’s also been dealing with a hamstring injury. This has kept Pierce out the past few weeks, though he practiced Friday and is expected to return to the field this week as well.
Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale have stepped into the lineup in the meantime. Akers has received 38 carries with which he’s produced 148 rushing yards and a touchdown in four games. He also has added 16 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air. Ogunbowale has established himself as a solid option on passing downs and has gained 155 receiving yards out of the backfield.
Heading into Week 6, the Texans will have a chance to reassemble their full-strength rushing attack.
Joe Mixon fantasy outlook
Assuming Mixon is active in this matchup, you should have him in your fantasy football lineups. His 29.8 fantasy point performance in the opening week was the fifth-highest total among all players and second among running backs, only behind Saquon Barkley.
The Texans are set to face off with the New England Patriots this week, which should allow the opportunity for production out of the backfield. The Pats have allowed 133 rushing yards or more in each of the last three weeks. New England’s defense ranks bottom-10 in yards per play, turnover rate, and third-down conversions. They are also 30th in pressure rate without blitzing.
While he may not get the full scale of the 30 carries he saw in Week 1, Mixon will be in line for plenty of touches. This three-week absence marks the most consecutive time Mixon has missed since the 2020 season. However, he is clearly the most talented running back on the Texans roster and will be given adequate chances to produce assuming his health allows.
Keep an eye on the final injury report as decisions are officially made. With that said, signs are pointing toward Mixon making his return to the field this week as he looks to reclaim his spot among the most productive running backs in the NFL.
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