Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Nick Chubb

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.

Thursday, August 7, 6:18 PM

Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (head) missed his second straight day of practice at training camp on Thursday after taking a hard shot to his head and leaving with a trainer on Tuesday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. It's unclear if Chubb is in the league's concussion protocol, but it's worth watching, especially with Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) still on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The Texans will likely play it safe and hold Chubb out of the preseason opener on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings. Until Chubb returns to the field, Dameon Pierce and rookie Woody Marks will see added backfield opportunities in practice and the preseason. Even with Mixon's health up in the air for the start of the regular season, RotoBaller has Chubb ranked as only the RB57 after playing in only 10 games the last two seasons, primarily due to a gruesome knee injury he suffered in 2023.