Joe Mixon isn’t being kept out of Saturday’s contest at Arrowhead Stadium.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Houston Texans Pro Bowl running back plans to start against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round.
Mixon had been dealing with a lingering ankle issue throughout the week that limited him in practice. On the team’s injury report, Mixon was listed as out for practice, along with wide receiver Robert Woods (hip). Both were listed as questionable following Thursday’s final practice.
Houston, which is trying to advance to the AFC Championship for the first time in franchise history, needs a stable ground game to combat Patrick Mahomes’ and a high-tempo passing attack.
#Texans Pro Bowl RB Joe Mixon, limited this week with an ankle injury, will play today, sources say. LB Azeez Al-Shaair, limited with a knee, also will play against the #Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/8F1gjZCVs3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2025
In last week’s wild-card round win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Mixon became the first running back since Arian Foster in 2012 to rush for 100 yards in a playoff game. He finished with 106 yards and scored a 17-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to ice the game.
In 14 regular-season games, Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 4.4 yards per attempt. He became the sixth running back in franchise history and the first since 2019 to eclipse 1,000 yards in a single season.
“Joe did a great job there today and he doesn’t do that without the way our guys block, tight ends, receivers, also the offensive line,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Like collective effort there which allowed us to run the wall the way we did.”
The ankle issue has been something lingering around Mixon since the start of the regular season. The 28-year-old missed three games early this season after a hip drop tackle by Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards injured his right ankle on Sept. 15.
Both #Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) are set to play Saturday against #Chiefs per league sources. Both are listed as questionable on injury report, but there was never a high level of concern about either player’s availability @KPRC2 https://t.co/d8mVetleAq
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 17, 2025
Mixon dealt with the issue during the third quarter of Week 15’s win over the Miami Dolphins, but only left for a drive before returning.
As the Texans look to make history, Mixon likely will see action, even if it’s limited. He was part of the 2021 Cincinnati Bengals roster to take down Mahomes in the AFC Championship Game and plans on breaking the 1-1 tie at Arrowhead Stadium.
“I’m gonna do whatever it takes on my end, and I’m sure that everybody else on the team is gonna do the same thing,” Mixon said Tuesday. “Everybody has the same mindset and we just have to go out there and make some things happen.”
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who was limited throughout practice this week with a knee issue, is also expected to play. He did not start in the Week 16 loss due to his three-game suspension for the hit against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Week 13.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.
