Joe

Mixon

“We’ll see this week with a week of practice,” Ryans added. Mixon appeared to be trending in the right direction by practicing on Friday, making it to a game-time decision before sitting. It seems likely that as long as the practice participation is good, Mixon will be in line to start in Week 5 against the Bills. Ditto Dell, who seems likely to play this week per an earlier report.

Mixon was a game-time decision but didn’t make it after getting a limited practice in on Friday. He should be in play for Week 5. Dell misses his first game with rib bruising. Cam Akers and Stefon Diggs should absorb most of the extra volume from these two sitting. Dameon Pierce misses his third-straight game with a hamstring injury and has not practiced since the Thursday leading up to Week 2.

Mixon got in one limited practice this week before being assigned the questionable tag. He made a push to play but will likely make his return in Week 5. Dameon Pierce has already been ruled out, meaning Cam Akers will lead the way for the second week in a row. Akers saw nearly all of the Texans’ carries in Week 4 while Dare Ogunbowale served as the primary option on passing downs. Akers’ role as a two-down player will keep him in the RB3 ranks versus Jacksonville.

Per Rapoport, Mixon has been working hard to make it back for Week 4 but is still considered a game-time decision. It obviously sounds like the veteran back will be held out one more week, but fantasy managers counting on Cam Akers for some cheap running back touches will want to stay tuned for Houston’s inactives. Dameon Pierce is out again this week, meaning Akers would see the bulk of the carries for Houston if Mixon can’t go. Assuming Mixon is ruled out, Akers will project for RB3 numbers versus the Jags.

Mixon missed Week 3 with the ankle injury and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday this week. He made a surprising return to practice on Friday before being listed as questionable. Mixon would rank as an RB2 versus a middling Jacksonville defense if he manages to play through the injury. Cam Akers will be a touchdown-based FLEX play if Mixon sits.

This marks Mixon’s first practice since injuring his ankle in Week 2 against the Bears. It was reported earlier that the team still considers him week-to-week, making it unlikely he’ll be cleared to go in Week 4 against the Jaguars. We’ll know his official status when the team releases its final injury report later in the day, but for now, we wouldn’t expect Mixon to be available.

That’s two straight missed practices to open the week for Mixon, who is still considered week-to-week by the team. If Mixon can’t go, there’s a good chance Dameon Pierce will enter Week 4 as the team’s starter if he suits up, but Pierce has also missed the first two practices of the week. Other than Mixon, the Texans backfield is one to avoid in fantasy. A Week 5 return for the veteran back seems far more likely than a Week 4 return.

KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reported earlier today that the team still views Mixon as “week to week.” His absence from the first practice of the week backs that up. Dameon Pierce has a shot to return on Sunday, though he also missed Wednesday’s session. For now, Cam Akers should be projected for the bulk of the carries in Week 4, keeping him on the RB3 periphery.

It doesn’t sound like Mixon will be suiting up in Week 4. The veteran running back missed last week’s contest against the Vikings after being injured on an illegal hip drop tackle but could be back in fairly short order after avoiding being placed on injured reserve. With Mixon likely out, there’s a good chance Dameon Pierce leads the Texans backfield in Week 4, as he’s expected to return from a hamstring injury that’s sidelined him the last two weeks.

Akers’ fantasy day was saved by a short catch and run touchdown in the first half. He was otherwise entirely ineffective as Houston’s lead back with Joe Mixon (ankle) sidelined. Akers saw nine of the team’s 11 running back rushes in a blowout game script. JJ Taylor and Dare Ogunbowale shared backfield pass catching duties. No one in the Houston backfield is worthy of fantasy consideration outside of deep formats until Mixon returns from injury.