Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or J.K. Dobbins

Saturday, July 26, 1:50 PM

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (foot), who started training camp on the Non-Football Injury list, is expected to be out for an extended period of time due to a frustrating foot injury, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Mixon will be re-evaluated closer to the regular season to determine his availability, but it sounds as though last year's 1,000-yard rusher isn't a lock to be ready for Week 1 in early September. Dameon Pierce (undisclosed) is also on the PUP list, so Houston's backfield is pretty thin early in training camp. As things currently stand, Nick Chubb, who suffered a gruesome leg injury in 2023, is atop the depth chart, with rookie Woody Marks also set for a substantial role if both Mixon and Pierce aren't ready for the season opener. Mixon can do it all when healthy, but his health has now become an issue, and the Texans' shaky offensive line isn't a good combination.

Sunday, August 10, 10:47 AM

Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins wasn't very involved in the team's preseason opener on the road on Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers in a 30-9 victory at Levi's Stadium. Dobbins didn't see a single carry but caught his only target for a gain of four yards. Meanwhile, rookie second-rounder RJ Harvey carried the ball seven times for 25 yards and caught one of his two targets for four yards. The 26-year-old figures to be heavily involved in Denver's backfield in his first year with the team in 2025, but it was notable that Harvey saw most of the early-down work with the first-team offense in the first quarter on Saturday evening. Given Dobbins' extensive injury history, don't be surprised if Harvey is Denver's 1A back sooner than later, with Dobbins serving in more of a third-down, pass-catching role. Dobbins is an RB3/flex target in fantasy, preferably in PPR formats.