Joe

Mixon

A survivor of multiple hip-drop tackles, 28-year-old trade acquisition Mixon crossed the 1,000-yard rushing threshold for the fifth time despite missing Weeks 3-5 with an ankle injury. Somewhat surprisingly the engine of the Texans’ offense all season, Mixon stacked up ridiculous workloads as slumping sophomore QB C.J. Stroud and OC Bobby Slowik tried to figure out what to do with each other. As always, Mixon was not efficient — he averaged 4.1 yards per carry and was middle of the pack in rush yards over expected — but he was tough and productive. He always got what was blocked. Guaranteed $4 million for 2025, Mixon will be back as the Texans’ lead back, though they could look to upgrade Dameon Pierce in the No. 2 spot.

Both players came into the weekend listed as questionable, with Mixon downgraded throughout the week with an ankle injury and Woods missing all three practices with a hip injury. Also active for the Texans is linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Inactive for the Texans are RB J.J. Taylor, LB Devin White ,DE Jerry Hughes, G/C Kendrick Green, G Nick Broeker, and DT Kurt Hinish.

Rapoport reports that linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) will also play after being listed as questionable on Friday. Mixon suffered his ankle injury on Wednesday and was a DNP on Thursday, so we don’t know much about the severity of his injury other than it’s not believed to be “a major injury,” according to a report from Friday. It sounds like the Texans will be able to lean on Mixon in his normal role on Saturday as the Texans hope to top the Chiefs and make a trip to the AFC Championship Game next week.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said this morning that the ankle issue isn’t major and Mixon has a “real chance” to play, so Schultz’s reporting all but guarantees Mixon will take the field on Saturday. The Texans added Mixon to the practice report on Wednesday and then downgraded him to a DNP on Thursday. He is officially questionable for Saturday’s game. The moves all seem to have been precautionary. Barring a setback, Mixon will face the Chiefs. Per Schultz, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, questionable with a knee injury, is also expected to play.

Mixon suffered an ankle injury late in the week and was a DNP on Thursday. Officially listed as questionable, Rapoport reports it’s “not a major injury” Mixon is dealing with, so there’s a good chance Thursday’s DNP was out of precaution. If Mixon is unable to go, Dare Ogunbowale and Dameon Pierce would take over in his stead. His status will be worth checking in on when inactives are announced 90 minutes before kickoff, but it sounds as if he’s trending in the right direction.

This is one worth watching. After popping up as limited following an ankle injury he sustained in Wednesday’s practice, Mixon was a DNP on Thursday and officially carries a questionable designation into the weekend. It’s possible Mixon was sidelined on Thursday out of precaution, but his status will be one to monitor until the team officially confirms his availabilty. In addition to Mixon, LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and WR Robert Woods (hip) are also listed as questionable.

Details on the injury have not yet been released but this is a story to follow closely. Popping up on the injury report with a mid-week Limited Participant status suggests Mixon suffered this injury in Wednesday’s practice. He notably missed Weeks 3-5 due to an ankle injury but whether this can be considered an aggravation remains unknown. Mixon will likely play through the pain but would be at risk for an in-game setback.

Mixon, along with the rest of the Texans offense, was nowhere to be found in the first half. He was fed the football in the second half after Houston took a multi-score lead against a collapsing Chargers team that committed four turnovers on the day. Mixon grinded his way past the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time since Week 13 after a slow end to the regular season. The game-script sensitive Mixon requires neutral and positive script to get there for fantasy purposes, and that won’t change in the Divisional Round as the Texans likely hit the road against stiffer competition.

He added a catch for five yards on his only target. Mixon managed just 11 snaps and was pulled after the first drive. He finishes the regular season as the first Texans 1,000-yard rusher since Carlos Hyde in 2019. Mixon will be a contrarian Wild Card Round DFS/Best Ball pick as the Texans figure to face a stout run defense from Pittsburgh or Los Angeles.

The Texans couldn’t get anything going on offense and fell behind early, giving them no shot at establishing a ground game. Mixon, in turn, was held under 60 yards for the third time in four weeks. The veteran back has been banged up late this year and Houston’s offense isn’t setting him up for success. A date with the Titans would normally be a phenomenal remedy for his slump, but Houston has nothing to play for next week. Mixon and the rest of the starters could get the day off. If he does suit up, Mixon will be a mid-range RB2 versus Tennessee.