When healthy, Joe Mixon is the clear leader of the Houston Texans backfield, but a foot injury could keep him sidelined for the start of the season. According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, Houston’s Pro Bowl running back could miss the season opener as he works his way back from a “lingering foot-ankle injury.”
Report: Texans Could Lose Joe Mixon to Foot Injury
Mixon played in 14 games last year for the Houston Texans, recording 1,016 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 245 carries while making the second Pro Bowl of his career. However, he missed three games with the foot injury and reportedly aggravated the injury earlier in the offseason. Now entering his age-29 season with over 1,800 carries to his name, Mixon’s body may be slowing down.
If Joe Mixon misses time with this injury, the four-headed quartet of Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, and rookie Woody Marks will be responsible for leading this rushing attack. Chubb was one of the league’s premier running backs in his day, but he suffered a gruesome knee injury in 2023 and looked like a shell of himself last year. Perhaps he can recapture his old form now that he’s another year removed from his injury, but he’s anything but a safe bet.
Dameon Pierce had an impressive rookie season under then-head coach Lovie Smith, but he’s never recaptured that form under current head coach DeMeco Ryans. Dare Ogunbowale primarily makes his living on special teams, but is a good enough receiving back. Woody Marks is an untested rookie who will need to prove himself to earn playing time but could carve out a role if Joe Mixon doesn’t overcome his injury woes.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – Imagn Images
