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When will Joe Mixon return? Latest injury updates on Texans RB

ayrton ostly, usa today
·3 min read

The Houston Texans improved to 4-1 in Week 5 with a 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills at home. They kept pace with one of the top teams in the AFC despite missing starting running back Joe Mixon once again.

Mixon, an offseason acquisition from the Cincinnati Bengals, was injured during Houston's 19-13 win over Chicago in Week 2 when Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards came down on Mixon's ankle during a tackle in the third quarter. Mixon returned for seven more plays for the rest of the game.

Mixon expressed frustration on social media after the game, calling Edwards' hit on him a hip-drop tackle, which the NFL banned entering the 2024 season.

Using a hip-drop tackle should result in a 15-yard penalty and a fine. No penalty was assessed, but Edwards was later fined for his hit.

Mixon has been out of the lineup ever since. Here's the latest on his return.

When will Joe Mixon return?

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that Mixon is still working back from the injury, and his status for Week 6 against the New England Patriots is up in the air.

“We don’t know as of right now,” Ryans said. “I can’t give you that answer, but we will see how Joe improves over the week. He has definitely been improving week to week, he’s been doing a great job attacking his rehab so we will see where he is as the week goes on.”

Mixon was seen practicing Thursday for the first time since last Friday. Video shows he had a compression sleeve on his right leg.

No practice designation (limited, full, etc.) has been announced by the Texans.

Ryans did express some frustration over the hip-drop tackle on Monday.

“Joe is out because of that,” Ryans said. “The NFL is doing a great job of communicating for an entire league of how we want to tackle, how we should tackle. We’re trying to get that out of the game. I think some guys have been fined for making those illegal tackles. But the fine doesn’t get your guy back soon enough.”

Houston is on the road this week and next for a game against Green Bay.

When was Joe Mixon's injury?

Mixon injured his right ankle on Sunday, Sept. 15, in Week 2. He has missed the subsequent three games.

Mixon hasn't missed significant time since the 2020 NFL season when he suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot in Week 6. He missed the rest of the regular season. He also missed two games in the 2022 season due to a concussion.

Texans RB depth chart

Mixon may be off the field again this week and backup running back Dameon Pierce has also missed time with injury. Here's how the depth chart currently looks for Houston:

Those are the only healthy running backs on the Texans' 53-man roster. Houston also has J.J. Taylor and fullback Troy Hairston on the practice squad.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will Joe Mixon return? Latest updates for Texans RB