Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Dylan Sampson

Wednesday, August 27, 10:36 AM

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio was non-committal on whether running back Joe Mixon (ankle) will play during the 2025 season when asked at a Wednesday press conference, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. The veteran back is on the reserve/non-football injury list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games, but the Texans haven't seemed especially optimistic about his return. Caserio said Mixon will be evaluated after four weeks, but ultimately answered, 'We'll see,' when asked if the running back would come back this season. Houston signed Nick Chubb, still rosters Dameon Pierce, and drafted Woody Marks earlier this year to round out its backfield.

Thursday, August 28, 10:41 PM

Cleveland Browns rookie Dylan Sampson has emerged as the clear No. 2 back behind Jerome Ford with Quinshon Judkins still unsigned. Sampson has shown burst and reliability in camp, locking down the change-of-pace role. Ford, meanwhile, has never logged more than 250 touches in a season, leaving the door open for Sampson to carve out meaningful snaps or even push for a bigger role if Ford falters. His skill set makes him a versatile complement in Cleveland's backfield. Fantasy managers should view Sampson as a valuable late-round flier with legitimate upside if the backfield shifts in his favor.