Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Jaleel McLaughlin

Sunday, June 8, 11:30 PM

KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson reports that Houston Texans running backs Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (undisclosed) are both expected to be ready for the start of training camp in late July. Mixon missed voluntary organized team activities this spring and was seen wearing a walking boot, but he's now in a small brace. Both Mixon and Pierce should be ready to go for the start of the 2025 season this fall, but it makes sense why Houston is expected to sign Nick Chubb to bolster their RB room. The good news is that Mixon's ankle injury is unrelated to the two ankle injuries he suffered last year. In his first year with the Texans in 2024, the 28-year-old was a Pro Bowler for the second time in his career with 1,016 rushing yards and 11 TDs on 245 carries in 14 regular-season starts. Mixon added 36 catches for 309 yards and another TD. Volume shouldn't be an issue in 2025, but health could be.

Monday, January 13, 10:50 AM

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin was a complete non-factor in the team's 31-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday on wild-card weekend. Like most of the season, Denver's backfield was stuck in the mud and couldn't get anything going to control the game, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix leading the team with 43 rushing yards on four carries. McLaughlin, who had been the leader of a committee backfield late in the season, had only two rushing attempts for minus-two yards while catching his only target for no gain. It was a dismal end to the 24-year-old's second season in the NFL. He finished with 113 carries for 496 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and only one rushing touchdown in 16 regular-season games while adding 24 catches for 76 yards and two more TDs through the air. Denver will surely look to upgrade their backfield in the offseason to give more help to Nix in 2025.