Houston Texans fans have been waiting to see Joe Mixon find a hole and pulverize opponents as the top back on Sundays.
Guess what? So has Mixon.
“I want to be out there more than anybody,” Mixon said Thursday following his first padded practice in three weeks.
#Texans running back Joe Mixon practicing again Friday and is trending toward being available Sunday against Patriots. pic.twitter.com/dUsmfsamq0
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 11, 2024
Mixon, who still might not be cleared on Sunday when the Texans take on the New England Patriots, hasn’t played since Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears because of an illegal hip-drop tackle used by linebacker T.J. Edwards.
The hit was banned by the NFL this offseason and was supposed to lead to a fine and a 15-yard penalty. Mixon sounded off on the officials after they ruled it a fair tackle.
Edwards was later fined but got to play the following Sunday. Mixon has missed the last three games and finally looks healthy enough to practice.
“You got to think I was No. 1 in the league in rushing; I want to be out there,” Mixon said Thursday. “Obviously, I was stopped because of that weak ass hip-drop tackle. I can’t do nothing about that.”
While Mixon practiced in a limited capacity two weeks ago before Week 4’s matchup against the Jaguars, he medically was not ready to return. He missed the next several practices and only returned at limited capacity on both Thursday and Friday.
Joe Mixon was back at practice after missing the least few weeks with an ankle injury and he gave us some gems:
After a great start to the season I asked him about how tough it was to sit out and he kept real:
“Shidd what you think? I was #1 in the league in rushing!” pic.twitter.com/392Pfb9sFr
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) October 10, 2024
The Texans have gotten by without a stable ground game, but adding in Mixon might be beneficial now with Nico Collins off to the injured reserve. Houston’s offense has gone through C.J. Stroud and the league’s leading target five games into the new campaign.
Having back Mixon would be a welcomed addition against a stout New England defense.
“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. “It’s as simple as that.”
Kickoff from Gillette Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.
