This story has been updated with further information
Another week, another matchup where the Houston Texans must trust the duo of Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale.
Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon is out for Week 5’s showdown against the Buffalo Bills, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport.
Fellow running back Dameon Pierce is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury after returning to practice Friday.
Mixon, who returned last Friday to partake in team drills, was a no-show on Wednesday and Thursday, indicating that Houston could again be in trouble. Thursday’s practice is usually Houston’s most strenuous, while Fridays are a walkthrough.
#Texan RB Joe Mixon, who missed both practices thus far this week, is not expected to play Sunday. That means the duo of Cam Akers (4.1 yards per rush) and Dare Ogunbowale (game-winning TD) once again. https://t.co/gemNLKUOFO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 4, 2024
Mixon’s inability to practice with limited contact laid out warning signs that the Texans could be in trouble on the ground.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday that Mixon would be “day-to-day.” When asked about his availability for Sunday, Ryans said, “We’ll see,” indicating that Thursday’s practice likely would determine the outlook.
Having Mixon back would have benefitted the Texans against one of the league’s worst run defenses. Buffalo enters NRG Stadium allowing a league-leading 5.7 yards per run.
In Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Bills allowed 271 rushing yards and 8.0 yards per run, 199 of which came from Derrick Henry.
“Baltimore seems far more like an anomaly than a norm. They had some mental mistakes that happened that created some plays that really haven’t shown up on their tape,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “They give some yards in the run game but over the course of the game they don’t believe you are going to keep doing it and keep doing it, eventually they will get you to a third down and they are pretty good in third down. It is a challenge for us.”
No setback for Joe Mixon, per sources, just original ankle injury suffered on the hip drop tackle against #Bears that drew an #NFL fine. Status hasn't changed as far as always been a week to week injury @KPRC2 https://t.co/ClB8L24iQP
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 4, 2024
Mixon’s departure likely means that Akers will serve as the top runner for the third straight game. The former second-round pick rushed for a season-high 53 yards in Sunday’s win over the Jaguars and scored a 6-yard touchdown in Week 3’s loss against the Vikings.
Akers could be something still in Houston’s backfield after totaling 74 yards on 22 carries across his two starts in the preseason.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.
