Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Zach Charbonnet

Tuesday, February 24, 5:18 PM

The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander writes that "all signs point to a potential break between" running back Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) and the Houston Texans this offseason. Mixon ran for over 1,000 yards and had 11 touchdowns in 2024, but he didn't play at all in 2025 due to a freak ankle/foot injury last offseason. There are no injury updates on the 29-year-old this offseason after he had surgery, and general manager Nick Caserio said that Mixon's future with the club is "day-to-day." The Texans originally were hoping that Mixon would return last year, but he never did, and he sought treatment outside of the team's facilities. Mixon is entering the final year of a three-year deal he signed back in 2024, but the final year of the deal isn't guaranteed. The Texans, who are currently $4.9 million over the salary cap, could save $8.5 million in cap space by cutting him. Regardless of where Mixon is playing in 2026, his fantasy stock will be way down, and it's not even a guarantee he'll be ready for Week 1.

Wednesday, February 25, 1:47 PM

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) doesn't have a timetable for a return after undergoing surgery last weekend to fix the torn ACL in his knee that he suffered in the Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. The typical recovery time for reconstructive knee surgery for ACL tears is eight to 12 months. Seattle doesn't know exactly when Charb might be back in 2026, but Macdonald said the team is "more optimistic than it was initially." The 25-year-old took on a bigger role next to Kenneth Walker III during the 2025 regular season and led the team with 12 rushing touchdowns, the fifth-most in the NFL. He was the first Seahawk with double-digit TDs since Marshawn Lynch in 2014. Walker will be a free agent next month, but even if he departs, Charbonnet's 2026 fantasy value will most likely be down since he probably won't be ready for Week 1.