Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Aaron Jones

Friday, June 20, 12:20 AM

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) is expected to be ready at some point during training camp this summer, according to KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson. It's a bit ambiguous, but Wilson also goes on to say that it's possible Mixon will be taking part in workouts on the first day of camp in late July. The 28-year-old apparently aggravated ankle and foot injuries that he battled through in 2024, which is why he didn't take part in OTAs this spring. Barring a setback, Mixon should be ready for the start of the regular season, but it's certainly something that fantasy managers should be keeping close tabs on after he was in a protective brace. He finished as the RB15 in half-PPR leagues in his first year in Houston but was noticeably quiet toward the end of the year after battling ankle issues. There are injury concerns with Mixon, but he should at least be a high-end RB2 with plenty of volume if he can stay on the field.

Monday, April 7, 12:27 PM

The Minnesota Vikings have running back Aaron Jones penciled in as their starting RB again in 2025 after paying him more to return ($20 million over two seasons). However, ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes that new RB Jordan Mason isn't going to be a typical backup after they acquired him in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has been very clear that he wants to pull back on Jones' usage after he set career-highs in snaps (700), rushing attempts (255) and total touches (306) in 2024. "When he has historically had that 1A/1B backfield structure, he can be a total game-changer every time he touches the ball," O'Connell said. "So it was always about bringing Aaron back ... but what are we going to pair him with?" It's obviously bad news for Jones' chances of an RB1 finish in fantasy in 2025, with Mason expected to be used in short-yardage and goal-line situations for the Vikes.