Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Jordan Mason

Thursday, February 5, 8:40 AM

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said on Thursday that running back Joe Mixon (foot, ankle) will attempt to play in 2026, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. "Joe (Mixon) worked really hard to get himself ready. He's committed to trying to be able to play football this year. We'll see if he's physically able to do it or not. It's a little bit of a moving target," Caserio said. The GM said late last month that Mixon's foot/ankle injury last year was a "freak thing" that ended up keeping him out all year. The 29-year-old will attempt to play in 2026, but Caserio admits that it's no sure thing. Mixon has one year left on the three-year, $25.5 contract restructure that he signed in March of 2024, and the Texans can clear $8 million in salary cap space this year by cutting him. Even if Mixon sticks on Houston's roster, they could add to the RB position after Woody Marks took over as the primary back in 2025.

Monday, February 2, 5:31 PM

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason had a career-high 159 rushing attempts for 758 yards (career-low 4.8 yards per carry) and a career-high six rushing touchdowns in 16 games (five starts) in 2025 in his first year with the team. The 26-year-old added a career-best 14 receptions on 16 targets for 51 yards through the air. He'll be under contract with the Vikes again in 2026 after signing a two-year, $10.5 million deal in March of last year. Mason's fantasy ceiling was capped while working in a timeshare with Aaron Jones, who is also under contract through next season, and he finished as the RB34 in half-PPR scoring while averaging only 7.7 fantasy points per game. In what should be a similar role in 2026, Mason will be an RB3/flex target later in fantasy football drafts as the power back for Minnesota. Those who roster the oft-injured Jones would be wise to handcuff him to Mason.