This article is part of our NFL News series.
The Texans announced Monday that Joe Mixon will be placed on the reserve/non-football injury list, which means he will miss at least the first four games of the season.
Mixon endured two ankle injuries last season, the latter of which he suffered Week 15 but played through to the divisional playoffs. He then showed up to team workouts this spring wearing a walking boot after either re-injuring that ankle or suffering a new foot/ankle injury in individual offseason training. The injury happened away from the team, thus the "non-football" injury designation.
He was expected to return for training camp, but never stepped on the field. Now, he isn't even allowed to practice the first four weeks of the season, which means it's likely he misses more than four games.
Mixon's fantasy football ADP has dropped steadily this summer, but the uncertainty now should sink his draft value to a boom-or-bust selection outside the top-120 picks.
When he returns he'll face questions. In 14 games last year, Mixon totaled 1,325 scrimmage yards and 12 TDs, but he averaged fewer than five PPR points per game in his final four games after getting injured. Fantasy managers were looking forward to him proving his health in training camp; now he'll have to prove himself on the fly when he returns to games.
Entering his age-29 season with a lingering injury, there's little clarity on how effective Mixon will be once he's eligible to play.
Texans RB Roles Without Mixon
With Mixon sidelined, Houston is likely to deploy a backfield committee.
Nick Chubb is the favorite to be the early down running back, but he faces durability questions of his own after a broken foot last year and ACL, MCL and meniscus tears in 2023, and post-injury form is a concern.
A fourth-round pick this spring, Woody Marks has PPR appeal as a converted wide receiver. He had 47 receptions as a fifth-year player for USC last season. At 5-foot-10, 207, he's probably not suited to a three-down role, but he could be a valuable backup in a pass-catching role out of the backfield.
Dameon Pierce had a quadriceps injury the first two weeks of training camp and has mostly underwhelmed the last two seasons. However, he took advantage of an extended opportunity Week 18 last season when he rushed 19 times for 176 yards and a touchdown as the Texans rested starters. He figures to work behind Chubb and give way to Marks on passing downs.
Which Backup has the Most Fantasy Value?
Chubb is the best bet for volume and red-zone touches. Target him outside the top-110 picks.
Marks could offer weekly value in full PPR leagues. He should be available outside the top-140 picks in many drafts.
Pierce may need an injury or an ineffective Chubb to crack the rotation.
Final Thoughts on Draft Strategy
Mixon's early season absence adds volatility to Houston's backfield. Until he proves healthy and effective, fantasy managers will be better off targeting lower-cost options like Chubb or Marks in the later rounds of their fantasy football draft.
Fade Mixon unless he falls well past his fantasy ADP.
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