Joe Mixon finally appeared on the injury report with a positive outlook for the first time in three weeks.
The Houston Texans starting running back was listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots after practicing Friday afternoon. This marks the second consecutive day of training, meaning there’s a likelihood that Mixon could travel with the team and suit up at Gillette Stadium.
Fellow running back Dameon Pierce will play after missing the previous four games with a hamstring injury. He was a full participant in practice the past two days.
Mixon will have to pass all tests leading up to the game, meaning the training staff will have the final say on if he’s cleared to play. Still, it’s progress. Mixon has barely practiced since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears.
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Chicago linebacker T.J. Edwards was fined for using an illegal hip-drop tackle technique during the third quarter of Week 2’s matchup on Sunday night football. Edwards continued to play while Mixon was sidelined for three weeks.
Entering the matchup, the former Cincinnati Bengals star led the league with 159 rushing yards and 178 total yards. He was essential in helping Houston secure a win on the road against the Indianapolis Colts.
“I’m just going to keep on working, and when it’s time to be out there, I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to show I’m the best on the field,” Mixon said Thursday. “It’s as simple as that.”
Even if Mixon were to return, New England’s been one of the better teams defending the run. They enter Sunday under first-year coach Jerod Mayo boasting the seventh-best run defense while holding 4.2 yards per carry,
“They’re going to make you earn it,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “They’re going to make you – they’re going to strain. They’re going to make you really work to get points against this defense. So, despite their record, I can see [Mayo’s] imprints all over this team with their physicality, their mindset and the way they’re playing football.”
With Mixon absent, Houston has relied on the combination of Dare Ogunbowale and Cam Akers. Since Week 2, the Texans have averaged just 77 rushing yards per game.
Kickoff at noon CT.
