The Houston Texans could be without their star running back when the team travels to Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Running back Joe Mixon, who did practice during Thursday’s final walkthrough, is listed as questionable for the AFC Divisional Round matchup against the defending Super Bowl champions.
On the team’s injury report, Mixon was listed as out for practice, along with wide receiver Robert Woods (hip). Both were listed as questionable following Thursday’s final practice.
Houston, which is trying to advance to the AFC Championship for the first time in franchise history, needs a stable ground game to combat Patrick Mahomes’ and a high-tempo passing attack.
In last week’s wild-card round win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Mixon became the first running back since Arian Foster in 2012 to rush for 100 yards in a playoff game. He finished with 106 yards and scored a 17-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to ice the game.
In 14 regular-season games, Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 4.4 yards per attempt. He became the sixth running back in franchise history and the first since 2019 to eclipse 1,000 yards in a single season.
“Joe did a great job there today and he doesn’t do that without the way our guys block, tight ends, receivers, also the offensive line,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Like collective effort there which allowed us to run the wall the way we did.”
Mixon appeared on the team’s injury report on Wednesday after an ankle issue, but was listed as a limited participant. The ankle injury has been something lingering around the Pro Bowl running back since the start of the regular season.
The 28-year-old missed three games early this season after an hip drop tackle by Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards injured his right ankle on Sept. 15. Mixon dealt with the issue during the third quarter of Week 15’s win over the Miami Dolphins, but only left for a drive before returning.
As the Texans look to make history, Mixon likely will see action, even if it’s limited. He was part of the 2021 Cincinnari Benglas roster to take down Mahomes in the AFC Championship Game and plans on breaking the 1-1 tie at Arrowhead Stadium.
“I’m gonna do whatever it takes on my end, and I’m sure that everybody else on the team is gonna do the same thing,” Mixon said Tuesday. “Everybody has the same mindset and we just have to go out there and make some things happen.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.