Joe Mixon injury update: NFL insider reveals expected status of Texans RB Saturday vs. Chiefs

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon, listed as questionable with an ankle injury, is expected to play in Saturday’s AFC Divisional Round game against the Kansas City Chiefs, per Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports.

Mixon, 28, did not practice Thursday after being limited in Wednesday’s practice.

Mixon dealt with an ankle issue earlier in the season. He first sustained the injury in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears and missed Weeks 3-5. Mixon returned in Week 6 against the New England Patriots and has played in every game since.

Mixon earned his second Pro Bowl honor this season, rushing for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.1 yards per carry. He starred in the 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card Round last Saturday, rushing for 106 yards on 25 carries. Mixon ran for a 17-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

“He wants the football,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said after the game, via Texans Wire. “You want to play well in the playoffs you have to be able to run the football. So, 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. Like collective effort there which allowed us to run the wall the way we did.”

Texans get good news on RB Joe Mixon, LB Azeez Al-Shaair

Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, also questionable with a knee injury, is good to go for Saturday’s matchup at Arrowhead Stadium. Shaair, a team captain, was on the field for all but one play against the Chargers.

“Azeez has been a great vocal leader,” Ryans said, via Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. “He always shares a great message. He’s great at articulating those messages to the players and the players are really attentive when Azeez is talking. When Azeez talks to the team, it’ll always come from the heart. It’s heartfelt, it’s sincere and you can tell how much he cares about the guys just with his messages.

“So, I know it resonates with the guys and it’s what a team is about. When your team leaders are standing up giving the messages, they go a lot further than what I have to say because they know my messages don’t change. It’s the same thing from when we started in training camp to now.”