The Houston Texans continue to face uncertainty surrounding the availability of their star running back, Joe Mixon, as the regular season approaches. Since offseason OTAs and minicamp, Mixon has been sidelined with a persistent foot and ankle injury that has kept him out of training camp and will likely cause him to miss all three preseason games.
With less than three weeks until the Texans’ season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, questions about Mixon’s readiness are growing. The Pro Bowl running back’s status for Week One remains unclear, giving the Texans a critical dilemma as they prepare for the coming <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL season.
GM Nick Caserio Describes Mixon’s Recovery as “Day-to-Day”
General Manager Nick Caserio offered the latest update on Joe Mixon’s health during an interview on SportsRadio 610, describing his recovery as progressing on a day-to-day basis without a definite timetable. Caserio shared,
“No change. Joe [Mixon]’s just kind of working through it,”
and added,
“He’s still on the NFI list… kind of take it one day at a time. Once we get a little bit closer, we’ll probably have a little better idea of where he’s going to be. But Joe’s working hard, trying to get himself back ready to go. So, whenever that is, we’ll take it as it comes.”
While Caserio remains cautiously optimistic about Mixon’s condition, he acknowledged there is no concrete update on when Mixon will return to full participation, leaving the Texans without clarity on whether their key runner will be available in early September.
Impact of Mixon’s Absence on Texans’ Running Back Corps
Joe Mixon’s contributions last season were significant, as he played in 14 games and amassed 1,016 rushing yards on 245 carries, along with 12 total touchdowns. This marked the second time in his career that he surpassed 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in a season, underlining his importance to the Texans’ offense.
Should Mixon miss any regular-season action, it would create a substantial gap in the Texans’ backfield. The team would then depend on Nick Chubb, veteran Dare Ogunbowale, and rookie Woody Marks to share rushing responsibilities, a shift that could alter Houston’s offensive dynamics significantly.
Season Outlook Hinges on Mixon’s Health as Texans Prepare
As the Texans finalize preparations for their opener, the health of Joe Mixon will be a determining factor in their offensive approach. Further updates on his status are expected closer to the start of the regular season, but there remains a real possibility that the two-time Pro Bowler could miss early games.
Mixon’s recovery timeline will continue to be closely monitored, not only by the Texans’ coaching staff but also by fans eager to see their lead running back return to form. His presence or absence will influence the Texans’ offensive strategy and could impact their overall performance for the 2024 NFL season.