HOUSTONJoe Mixon, a veteran running back for the Texans, is still out due to foot and ankle problems that he first had during the previous season and then made worse while working out on his own this offseason.
As previously reported by KPRC 2, the objective is to progressively increase his workload in order to prepare him for the Texans’ season opener against the Los Angeles Rams on the road. According to league sources, Mixon is not anticipated to play much, if at all, for the team during the preseason, but his long-term health outlook is still favorable because he has been doing well and has made significant progress since his first injury.
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Mixon is anticipated to remain on the non-football injury list for the bulk of the preseason, if not the whole thing.
On the first day of training camp, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans stated, “Yeah, he’ll be back whenever that timeline is right.”
As originally reported by KPRC 2, Mixon’s backstory had his being in a walking boot during the spring. He protected himself by donning a lace-up ankle brace after he was out of the boot. The Pro Bowl selection showed progress and really increased his mobility over the summer. In the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts last year, Mixon ran for a season-high 159 yards and one touchdown on 30 runs after missing a significant amount of time due to a quadriceps injury during the preseason.
Usually, Mixon doesn’t play during the preseason. The Texans took a similar stance with Mixon, who joined the team in a trade and inked a three-year, $27 million agreement, since he didn’t typically play in the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason games.
Although Mixon’s lack of playing time to adjust to the offense of new offensive coordinator Nick Caley and a redesigned offensive line is far from ideal, the Texans will rely on Nick Chubb, Dare Ogunbowale, and Woody Marks in his place.
The active-physically unable to perform list currently includes running backs J.J. Taylor (plantar fasciitis) and Dameon Pierce (strained quadriceps).
Mixon is a vital component of the offense, and last season, his breakaway speed and tackle-breaking abilities really improved the running game. Despite missing three games due to a severe ankle sprain sustained following an illegal hip drop tackle that resulted in a $17,000 NFL punishment for Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards, he ran for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns during the regular season last season.
Mixon is anticipated to be the focal point of the running game in a potentially potent partnership with Chubb. Mixon rushed for three touchdowns last season and against the Dallas Cowboys. In the spring, Chubb agreed to a one-year contract with a maximum value of $5 million.
Aaron Wilson covers the Texans and the NFL for click2houston.com and KPRC 2.
