Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Brian Robinson Jr.

Monday, November 10, 6:18 PM

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) hasn't been able to do anything for the last four months with what the team is calling a foot injury, and there have been no recent updates on what his timetable might look like for a return this year. It has opened up speculation that Mixon won't return at all for Houston in 2025. He was placed on the Non-Football Injury list in the offseason, and the Texans have offered few details on his foot injury. General manager Nick Caserio said in early October that Mixon was making progress, but the fact that we haven't heard anything since isn't good news. The Texans are still holding out hope that Mixon will be back this year, but KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson has said that Mixon's situation is "tough" and "complicated." Fantasy managers shouldn't be so hopeful he'll play in 2025. In the meantime, the Texans will roll on with veteran Nick Chubb in the early down role, with rookie Woody Marks seeing passing-down work.

Saturday, November 15, 4:43 AM

San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. has turned the corner recently, posting consecutive RB2 finishes in the 49ers' last two games. Robinson's utilization in Week 10 and Week 11 was in line with past games, but with better results. Against the Giants and then the Rams, Robinson had his two highest rushing totals and scored a touchdown in each game. This trend has a good chance to continue in Week 11, when the 49ers face the Cardinals. Robinson saw just five snaps in the teams' last meeting in Week 3, but Arizona is coming off a game against Seattle where they allowed 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns to the Seahawks' backfield. Limited on touches, only another trip to the end zone would make starting Robinson in fantasy lineups worthwhile. He projects as an RB4 in Week 11.