With running back Joe Mixon (ankle) questionable ahead of their Week 4 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Houston Texans elevated RB JJ Taylor of the training teamaccording to KPRC’s Aaron Wilson. Dameon Pierce (hamstring) has already been ruled out. Mixon did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and participated on a limited basis in Friday’s practice.
In addition to Pierce, WR Tank Dell (chest) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) are out. DT Foley Fatukasi (shoulder) is also questionable.
Mixon hasn’t played since Week 2, when he was knocked out early against the Chicago Bears. The Texans believed the injury occurred when linebacker TJ Edwards made a hip tackle. The NFL subsequently fined Edwards nearly $17,000 for illegal tackle.
If Mixon can’t play, Cam Akers will be the leader for the Texans. In two games, Akers has been ineffective. He has 16 carries for 53 yards.
JJ Taylor, an undrafted free agent from the University of Arizona in 2020, spent the first three years of his career with the New England Patriots.
The Texans’ ineffective offense with Joe Mixon
In Mixon’s absence, Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs have been the focal points of the Texans’ offense. Collins has 18 receptions for 338 receiving yards and a touchdown to start the season. Diggs also added 20 receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Collins appeared on the team’s injury report earlier in the week, but will play against the Jaguars.
Houston was exposed in Week 3 by the Minnesota Vikings. The Texans took 11 penalties, which set them back 88 yards. But just 38 rushing yards generated made their offense one-dimensional and predictable. Trailing early in a 14-0 hole, CJ Stroud and the offense couldn’t string together drives. After an offensive hold on the Texans’ first play, Stroud threw an interception and Houston never seemed to recover.
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Head Coach DeMeco Ryans credited the Vikings’ game plan, via NFL insider Aaron Wilson.
“It’s due to the Vikings, they played a really good game today beating us physically on the field,” Ryans said. “We didn’t do anything to help ourselves because there were too many penalties. It starts with me. Too many penalties in consecutive games. This is unacceptable and is canceled by sanctions. It sapped the energy.
The Texans put themselves out of field goal range in a critical series by committing three consecutive false start penalties.
Houston will look to get back on track at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4.
