Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Isiah Pacheco

Tuesday, October 7, 11:41 AM

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said the team will have clarity on running back Joe Mixon's (foot/ankle) health status for the "duration of the year" at some point "over the next few weeks." Mixon has not played yet in 2025, and the team has provided little to no information about a possible return timeline. It seems possible, if not likely, that the 29-year-old will miss the entirety of the season. If that's the case, Houston will likely continue splitting backfield work between veteran Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks. Chubb has recorded 58 carries for 249 yards and two touchdowns so far this season. Marks has logged 233 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 42 total touches, and could eventually work his way into the lead role over the course of the season.

Saturday, October 11, 12:44 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will face off against the Detroit Lions in Week 6. Pacheco handled seven carries for 36 yards and caught three passes for 20 yards in their Week 5 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pacheco once again split carries with Kareem Hunt, and the latter found the endzone twice last week. Rostering Pacheco has been a frustrating task for fantasy managers, even though he's averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry in three games this season. Despite his efficiency, Kansas City has still preferred Hunt in goal-line situations. It won't be easy to trust Pacheco again this week against the Lions, who are the highest-scoring team in the league. The Chiefs have the highest neutral pass rate in the league, and that trend should continue, given their game has a 52.5 O/U, the highest of the week. Pacheco is ranked RB41 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a desperation flex option despite his efficiency on limited touches.