Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Jeremy McNichols

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 8, 11:47 AM

Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols has maintained a consistent role as the team's most trusted option on pass downs. McNichols has totaled 17 carries for 143 yards and a touchdown to go with 12 catches on 17 targets for 129 yards in nine games this season. The 29-year-old led Washington in receiving in their Week 8 loss at Kansas, catching five of his six targets for 64 yards, the second most in a game of his career. That was also his highest snap share in a game this season at 43.4%, but he's mostly been limited to late down responsibilities while rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr. handle the early down carries. In a Week 10 matchup where Washington is a sizable home underdog against the Lions, McNichols could be on the field more often in a negative game script. McNichols has some sneaky PPR value in deeper leagues on Sunday.