Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Rome Odunze

Monday, October 20, 3:31 PM

There remains no timetable for the return of Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle, foot), and there continue to be rumblings that he could miss the entire 2025 season. General manager Nick Caserio wouldn't say one way or another earlier this month whether he thought the 29-year-old RB would come off the Non-Football Injury list to join the active roster this year. The Texans should have more clarity on Mixon's health in another couple of weeks, but until then, fantasy managers stashing him in an Injured Reserve spot must stay patient. He was put on the NFI list before the start of training camp after injuring his ankle/foot during a workout in the spring. Although nothing is concrete yet, it's looking more likely that Mixon isn't going to be able to contribute in fantasy lineups in 2025. If that's the case, it will mean more opportunities for Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks the rest of the way.

Saturday, October 18, 12:11 PM

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze is coming off a quiet Week 6, recording just two catches for 32 yards. However, his day could have been much bigger, as Odunze had an 11-yard touchdown negated by a penalty and narrowly missed on a few deep connections with Caleb Williams. Despite the down week, the second-year receiver is still in the midst of a breakout season, totaling 328 yards and five touchdowns in five games, ranking as the WR7 on a per-game basis. Odunze draws a favorable matchup in Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. With the Saints' defense surrendering big performances to WR1s like Marvin Harrison Jr., Jauan Jennings, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba so far this season, Odunze is in a prime bounce-back spot. He should be viewed as a high-end WR2 this week, with significant big-play upside against a struggling Saints secondary.