Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Tetairoa McMillan

Wednesday, August 20, 1:06 PM

Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports that Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) could begin the 2025 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which would mean he'd miss at least the first four games. Mixon has not practiced at all during training camp this summer and hasn't even been seen working off the side on a rehab field. The 29-year-old former second-rounder by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017 out of Oklahoma had a solid first year in Houston in 2024, rushing for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns on 245 carries over 14 regular-season starts, adding 36 catches for 309 yards and another TD. He can do it all, but it's looking more likely that he won't be ready for Week 1. If Mixon is unavailable for the start of the regular season, the Texans could go with a committee backfield involving Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce and rookie Woody Marks.

Tuesday, August 19, 11:19 AM

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring) was "working off to the side with no pads" during the team's practice on Tuesday, according to Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer. McMillan is reportedly dealing with a minor hamstring injury that could keep him out of the team's final preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. Assuming McMillan is healthy for the start of the regular season, he has a good chance to emerge as the clear number one target in Carolina right away. He profiles as a low-end WR2 in fantasy with significant upside.