The Houston Texans will be without Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon on Sunday at NRG Stadium.
The Buffalo Bills will be without more.
Wide receiver Khalil Shakir, defensive tackles Ed Oliver and Austin Johnson and safety Taylor Rapp were all ruled out by coach Sean McDermott on Friday, according to the injury report.
Both teams enter Sunday at 3-1 and very well could be competing for the No. 2 ranking in the AFC behind the Kansas City Chiefs.
Johnson (oblique), Rapp (concussion protocol) and Shakir (ankle) have not practiced this week after suffering injuries during Sunday’s loss against the Baltimore Ravens. Oliver started the week as a limited participant before suffering a hamstring issue in practice.
After Stefon Diggs was traded to the Texans, Shakir took over as the Bills’ leading receiver. Through four games, the third-year receiver has caught 18 of 19 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns.
With Shakir out, veteran Curtis Samuel should take over as the slot receiver in an expanded role opposite rookie Keon Coleman and Mack Hollins.
Left tackle Dion Dawkins (hamstring) is expected to play after being taken off the injury list. With Olivier’s absence, Buffalo must rely on DaQuon rookie DeWayne Carter and Zion Logue.
The front seven has been a concern for the Bills, espeically with its ground presence. Last week, Buffalo allowed 271 rushing yards against the Ravens, 199 of which came against All-Pro Derrick Henry.
“When I watched the tape, Baltimore seemed 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. “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.”
Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.
