Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Travis Etienne Jr.

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.

Tuesday, August 12, 8:09 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars running backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby are listed as co-starters on the team's unofficial depth chart. Nevertheless, it was Etienne who looked like the "top option" during Tuesday's practice, according to John Shipley of SI.com. Etienne broke some long runs and looked more comfortable as a receiver than the Jaguars' other backs. The 26-year-old dealt with cramps at the end of practice, but it doesn't seem there's much concern over that. After back-to-back productive seasons from 2022-23, Etienne's output fell off a cliff over 15 games last year. The former Clemson star totaled career-low marks across the board as a runner with 558 yards and two touchdowns on 150 carries. As a receiver, he chipped in 39 catches for 254 yards and no scores. Etienne is now stuck in a crowded RB room with Bigsby and a pair of promising rookies in Bhaysul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr., making him a risky option from a fantasy standpoint.