Where in the world is Joe Mixon?
It’s a question that no one seems capable of answering as the regular season looms for the Houston Texans. Before that, however, is fantasy draft season and it’ll only pick up with the preseason in the rearview.
Mixon hasn’t participated in any offseason activities for Houston, instead landing on the non-football injury (NFI) list ahead of training camp. As it turns out, Mixon won’t see the field for the first four games of the season.
Houston officially moved Mixon to IR on Monday, keeping the running back out of the team’s first four contests of the 2025 regular season.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans was previously mum on Mixon, saying there was no news on the Mixon front ahead of the NFL’s roster cutdown deadline at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
‘Most of our decision roster-wise will be made tomorrow, so no update on those decisions,’ Ryans said, via SportsTalk790’s Adam Wexler.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter gave something of a murky prognosis on ‘Get Up!’ on Monday morning.
“The silence from Houston is deafening regarding Joe Mixon’s injury,’ Schefter said. ‘There’s been zero update. There are lots of questions about when, or if, he’ll be back. We’ll continue to await an update. They’re required to provide one by tomorrow.’
With a key deadline approaching for Houston, it begs the question – is Mixon someone you want to be drafting in fantasy?
Should you draft Joe Mixon in fantasy?
The uncertainty surrounding the Mixon situation, or when he will return, makes him a player to avoid in drafts.
It’s not known when and how this injury occurred, leaving everyone in the dark about those key details. With Mixon out for the Texans’ first four games of the season, you can probably pass on him when you’re on the proverbial clock.
“He hasn’t practiced all year, hasn’t been seen much, hasn’t been heard from at all,’ Schefter added. ‘There’s a lot going on with Joe Mixon’s ankle that hasn’t been addressed, and it hangs over this franchise – leaving a major question mark at the running back position.’
Mixon missed three games and finished as RB17 in 2024, per FantasyPros, but was on his way to a top-10 finish if the ankle injury didn’t sideline him – evidenced by his RB8 finish in fantasy points per game. Mixon fell off quickly towards the end of the 2024 season, however, as he was held to under 30 rushing yards in three of the last four games. He eclipsed 10 PPR points just once in that span.
It’s unclear if he was injured at that time, but durability remains a concern regardless.
As if the injury wasn’t enough, there are multiple team factors to consider as well – like a downgraded offensive line and a crowded running back room.
Houston added Nick Chubb and Woody Marks this offseason to a backfield group that already includes Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale before roster cuts.
Then there is the issue of Nick Caley. Houston’s new offensive coordinator hasn’t been given the chance to see Mixon in practice, leaving the 29-year-old’s role unclear. It wouldn’t be the first time an injury hurt an NFL player’s role with a team.
There are ultimately too many factors that impact Mixon here – and none of them are working in his favor for fantasy purposes.
Verdict: While we can downplay the severity of De’Von Achane’s injury and dismiss Ashton Jeanty’s preseason struggles, we can’t do that with Mixon. With Mixon not having practiced with this mysterious foot injury – and that doesn’t even factor in the team’s already poor offensive line – even the most daring fantasy managers would be wise to steer clear.