Entering Friday’s practice, the Houston Texans still have optimism that Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon will play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
Mixon hasn’t practiced either day during the open media session, but DeMeco Ryans still isn’t ready to call it one way.
“We’ll take it day by day with Joe and his injury and see where he ends up at the end of the week,” Ryans said Wednesday. “Still holding out hope that he can make it.”
Mixon, who set the tone on the ground with a 159-yard outing in Week 1’s win over the Colts, left during the third quarter with an ankle injury in Sunday’s matchup against the Bears. While he managed to return, he was limited to one carry for one yard in the fourth quarter.
Based on the hit made by Chicago’s T.J. Edwards, it appeared that Mixon was brought down by an illegal hip-drop tackle that should have led to a 15-yard penalty. Officials ruled it a clean hit, though Houston plans to send the footage to the league office for further review.
“When the defender unweights himself and then he puts all of his weight on the runner’s legs, you see why they want to get the hip-drop tackle out of the game,” Ryans said Monday. “Because it causes a lot of injuries when it happens. The hip-drop tackle doesn’t happen much, but the percentage of injury when it does happen is very high and you saw that there with Joe and his ankle. The defender landed on his ankle.”
Mixon, who finished with 50 total yards, did not speak to reporters after Sunday’s game but called out the NFL on social media for not enforcing the rule.
“The NFL and NFLPA made it a rule and an emphasis for a reason,” Mixon wrote on X. “Time to put your money where your mouth is.”
If Mixon can’t go, Houston could be thin at running back. Secondary runner Dameon Pierce is still dealing with a hamstring injury and hasn’t practiced all week, meaning if both are out, Cam Akers would likely take command of the top back.
Akers played for Minnesota last season after being traded by the Los Angeles Rams. In six games, he rushed for 138 yards before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in early November.
“Obviously, I’ve got history there, but it’s just another game,” Akers said when asked if this was a revenge game.
Since arriving in Houston, he’s been one of the major standouts. Akers led all runners in yards during the preseason and caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Case Keenum in the Hall of Fame game.
After Mixon left Sunday’s contest, Akers became the focal runner, totaling 32 yards on seven carries. He also lost a fumble at the goal line, which is something he told reporters was unacceptable.
Kickoff from U.S. Bank Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.
