Dare

Ogunbowale

The Texans and fantasy managers continue to await the return of Mixon, who was once believed to have a chance to play in Week 4. Mixon will reportedly meet with trainers after practice to determine whether or not he’ll have a chance to play in Week 6 against the Patriots. We’ll wait with bated breath for the decision, but if he’s unable to go, we could be looking at another week of Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale splitting touches.

Pierce missed Week 5 with the hamstring issue but returned to practice on Friday. He was a limited participant and was given a questionable tag, though he never looked likely to suit up on Sunday. We will assume he was limited in Wednesday’s practice as well. With Joe Mixon still on the sidelines, Pierce could serve as Houston’s top back if he is able to play this week. He is worth an add in most fantasy leagues, though we would project this backfield as a committee in Pierce’s first game back.

He continued to call Mixon “week to week,” but said the back was “definitely improving.” The Texans have been claiming Mixon as week-to-week for a solid month now. Practice participation is the guiding light and Mixon didn’t practice at all next week. We’d wait until we see Mixon practice two consecutive days before getting our hopes up that he’ll return again. Dare Ogunbowale and Cam Akers split the reps in Week 5 for the Texans, with Dameon Pierce also a possibility to get some reps in Week 6 if he can shake a hamstring injury.

If this is the split the Texans are going to use next week against the Patriots, Ogunbowale should have fantasy value if Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce remain out. Ogunbowale is completely miscast as a between-the-tackles back, as the Texans noticed when they ran him into the line on a fourth-down go in the first half. But he’s proven capable of PPR scam lines in the C.J. Stroud offense and he can find a productive run here or there. Probably not worth a huge FAAB investment, but if Mixon and Pierce continue to sit, Ogunbowale could find himself in an RB3-esque role for Week 6.

Friday marks Pierce’s first practice in nearly three weeks. The veteran running back was rumored to be back by week four, but that fell through, leaving the Texans to go with Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale as their top two backs. It seems unlikely Pierce will play with just one practice under his belt, but with Joe Mixon (ankle) already ruled out for Week 5, there’s added incentive to get him on the field if he can go. We’ll see what kind of game status Pierce carries heading into the weekend, but it wouldn’t be suprising if it was the Akers/Ogunbowale show again this week.

Mixon attempted to play in Week 4 but was declared inactive after pregame warmups. There was hope his near-return would signal him being active in Week 5 against the Bills, but that doesn’t appear to be the case after the veteran running back missed two straight practices to open the week. Per Rapoport, Mixon’s absence means Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale will again lead Houston’s backfield.

Ogunbowale’s catches were clutch. He converted a third-and-8 early with a nine-yard catch-and-scamper over the middle, and added a 31-yard catch on third-and-18 to flip the field for the Texans in the fourth quarter. His fantasy production is tied to the Texans remaining in negative game scripts, and with Joe Mixon trending in the right direction for Week 5 he can remain on fantasy waiver wires. Regardless, it was a roster-validating game for Ogunbowale.

After sustaining an ankle injury on a hip drop tackle in Week 2 against the Bears, Mixon will be sidelined along with backfield mate Dameon Pierce (ankle). Cam Akers is widely expected to operate as the Texans’ No. 1 back against the Vikings, with Dare Ogunbowale seeing some pass catching duties out of the backfield. Minnesota is allowing the 10th lowest rush EPA on the season.

The veteran offseason acquisition did not travel with the team to Minnesota for their Week 3 game and has been ruled out. After leaving with the injury in Week 2, Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale split the snaps in the backfield 13-to-20, placing concern as to how the backfield usage will shake out with a full week of practice. Based on previous usage tendencies, it appears likely that Akers will serve as the preferred early-down option while Ogunbowale serves as the preferred change of pace and third-down back. Neither is overly exciting for fantasy purposes considering a matchup with a Vikings defense allowing just 3.8 yards per carry and 11.5 points per game.

Mixon did not practice at all this week and players rarely play through doubtful tags, so fantasy managers can move forward assuming Mixon is out for Week 3. Backup running back Dameon Pierce is also out, putting Cam Akers in line to start versus the Vikings. Akers played well in the preseason despite joining the team after the start of training camp and managed to carve out a spot on the roster via his performance. He should see the bulk of Houston’s carries this week with Dare Ogunbowale pitching in on obvious passing downs. Akers ranks as an RB2 for Week 3.