Texans Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon is officially out for the third consecutive game.
Mixon is dealing with a sprained ankle that has sidelined him for since suffering the injury on an illegal hip drop tackle from Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards.
Mixon practiced last Friday on a limited basis and was then held out of Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars as a game-time decision. His status is regarded as week to week, per league sources. There is no setback with Mixon, per sources, it’s just an injury that takes time to heal up from.
Cam Akers is preparing to be RB1 for the third consecutive game, but the Texans could have more depth as backup running back Dameon Pierce returned to practice Friday for the first time since sustained a strained hamstring.
Akers has rushed for 106 yards on 29 carries, an average of 3.7 yards per run. Mixon has rushed for 184 yards on 39 carries, a 4.7 average per run. He gained a season-high 159 yards with one touchdown on a career-high 30 carries against the Indianapolis Colts in a season-opening win. And Dare Ogunbowale caught four passes for 47 yards and the game-winning touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Really everyone that has been up in the air has been working and they are doing everything they can to get back and we will see where that goes,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “That is really all the way across the board. As far as Cam and Dare, I thought they ran pretty well. With what we were given, there were a couple of plays in there that I know if they could have back in some one-on-one opportunities in space they would like to capitalize on that a little more.
“At the critical moments, they made the big plays. Cam had a big run where he was able to cut back and bounce all the way outside and make a couple people miss. Dare, in the pass game, catches some checkdowns and doing what he felt he wanted to do in the run game on some of those. So, we are close, it is something that we are continuing to emphasize, continuing to strain. We definitely took a step in the right direction this last game and we have to keep getting better.”
Right tackle Tytus Howard didn’t practice due to a hamstring injury that limited him Thursday and is listed as questionable. If Howard can’t go, the Texans would likely plug in rookie Blake Fisher. Fisher returned to practice from an illness that kept him out Sunday. Howard is currently expected to play Sunday, per sources.
The Texans ruled out defensive ends Derek Barnett (shoulder) and Jerry Hughes (hip) and are thin on depth at that spot. They’ll have to plug in Rashad Weaver into the rotation and possibly elevate rookie defensive end Solomon Byrd from the practice squad.
Backup linebacker Jake Hansen (back) is questionable along with defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (calf) and defensive end Dylan Horton (illness).
Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, held out of Wednesday’s practice with a sprained ankle he dealt with against Jacksonville, briefly leaving the game and then finishing the game without further incident, returned to practice Thursday and also practiced Friday.
Wide receiver Tank Dell has practiced all week, his first work since badly bruising his ribs against the Vikings when he landed on the football and missed the Jaguars game the following week. He is ready to go for Sunday’s game.
Dell caught a season-high five passes for 62 yards on six targets in the Texans’ 34-7 loss to the Vikings.
Dell caught 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games as a rookie last season before he broke his fibula.
“I am very excited to have Tank back,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. “I definitely missed him last week, Tank is a big-time player for us so we missed him. To get him back is huge for our offense and what we are able to do so I am excited to see Tank back out there today.”
Wide receiver Robert Woods returned to practice after having his foot rested on Thursday. He is questionable.
Texans safety Jimmie Ward practiced again after dealing with a groin injury that sidelined him against the Jaguars with rookie Calen Bullock starting in his place. Both Dell and Ward were moving well all week.
“Jimmie, him being out there, his versatility to help our defense is going to be big for us,” Ryans said.
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.