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When will Joe Mixon return? Latest updates for Texans RB

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When will Joe Mixon return? Latest updates for Texans RB

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The Houston Texans improved to 4-1 with a 23-20 home win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 5. They kept pace with one of the AFC's top teams, despite once again missing starting running back Joe Mixon.

Mixon, an offseason acquisition from the Cincinnati Bengals, was injured during Houston's 19-13 win over Chicago in Week 2 when Bears linebacker TJ Edwards suffered an ankle injury during a tackle in the third quarter. Mixon returned for seven more plays the remainder of the game.

Mixon expressed his frustration on social media after the game, calling Edwards' hit on him a Hip drop tackle banned by the NFL for the 2024 season.

Using a hip drop tackle should be punishable by a 15-yard penalty and a fine. No penalty was assessed, but Edwards was later fined for his hit.

Mixon has been out of the lineup since then. Here's the latest on his return.

When will Joe Mixon return?

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that Mixon is still recovering from the injuryand his status for Week 6 against the New England Patriots is uncertain.

“Right now we don’t know,” Ryans said. “I can’t give you that answer, but we’ll see how Joe improves as the week goes on. He’s definitely improved week on week, he’s done a great job in his rehab so we’ll see where he’s at as the week goes on.”

Mixon was seen practicing on Thursday for the first time since last Friday. The video shows he was wearing a compression sleeve on his right leg.

The Texans have not announced a practice designation (limited, full, etc.).

Ryans expressed some frustration with the hip drop tackle on Monday.

“Joe is out because of this,” Ryans said. “The NFL does a great job of communicating to an entire league about how we want to approach and how we should approach. We're trying to get that out of the game. I think some people were fined for making these illegal tackles. But the fine won’t bring your guy back fast enough.”

Houston is on the road for a game against Green Bay this week and next.

When did Joe Mixon's injury occur?

Mixon injured his right ankle on Sunday, September 15, in Week 2. He missed the following three games.

Mixon has not missed significant time since the 2020 NFL season, when he suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot in Week 6. He missed the rest of the regular season. He also missed two games in the 2022 season due to a concussion.

Texans RB depth chart

Mixon may not be on the field again this week and backup running back Dameon Pierce was also missing due to injury. Here's what the depth chart currently looks like for Houston:

These are the only healthy running backs on the Texans' 53-man roster. Houston also has JJ Taylor and fullback Troy Hairston on the practice squad.

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