Texans to Play Without Joe Mixon Against the Vikings

In Week 3, the Houston Texans will be without their star running back, Joe Mixon, as he will not be traveling with the team to face the Minnesota Vikings. This decision comes after Mixon suffered an ankle injury during the Texans’ hard-fought 19-13 victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 2.

The injury occurred in the third quarter when Mixon was tackled by Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards in what appeared to be an illegal hip-drop maneuver. At the time of the injury, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had just completed a pass to Mixon, who was making a significant gain along the sideline. Despite the questionable nature of the tackle, the officials did not call a penalty, and Mixon subsequently left the game but managed to return shortly afterward.

Although he finished the game with 11 carries for just 25 yards, Mixon has had a strong season overall. He ranks seventh in the NFL with 184 rushing yards so far this year. However, his absence will be a significant blow to the Texans as they also deal with the loss of backup running back Dameon Pierce, who missed Week 2 due to a hamstring injury.

In light of these injuries, Cam Akers is expected to take on the majority of the carries for the Texans. After being traded from the Los Angeles Rams to the Vikings in September 2023, Akers had his season cut short due to a torn left Achilles tendon that he suffered in Week 9.

Despite these setbacks, Akers proved to be a competent replacement last week when pressed into action due to Mixon’s injury. He rushed for 32 yards on seven carries, showcasing his potential to step up when needed. The coaching staff has expressed confidence in Akers’ ability to carry the load, underscoring his skills as a runner.

Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik highlighted Akers’ strengths, noting his excellent vision on the field. “He has great vision. He’s been running zone schemes; he did the same thing in Minnesota,” Slowik explained. “He’s really good at reading that. We call it riding the wave, finding the right hole to hit. He always plays under control. When he sees it, he hits it. He finishes physically, and he has really good contact balance.”

These qualities will be crucial for the Texans as they look to maintain their momentum after a positive start to the season. While the loss of both Mixon and Pierce presents challenges, the team will rely on Akers to provide a stable ground game against a formidable Vikings defense.

The Texans coaching staff is gearing up for any adjustments they may need to make in light of these injuries. However, the reliance on Akers provides a sense of continuity in their offensive strategy. His familiarity with zone running schemes should serve the Texans well as they prepare for the next matchup.

As the Texans approach the challenge posed by the Vikings, fans will be eager to see how this next-generation offense adapts without their primary playmakers. The upcoming game will undoubtedly test Akers and the entire offensive unit as they seek to build on their recent success.