In the world of American football, injuries are unfortunately just a part of the game. Such is the case for Texans running back Joe Mixon, who has been dealing with an ankle issue that has limited his practice time leading up to Sunday’s game. However, despite being a tad hobbled, there is optimism that Mixon will still suit up come game day.
In the previous match against the Patriots, Mixon toughed it out and managed to put up impressive numbers despite clearly not being at his best. He may not have been 100 percent, but Mixon still found a way to make an impact, rushing for over 100 yards, catching passes, and even scoring two touchdowns. That’s the kind of determination that coaches and fans love to see in a player.
Mixon’s injury woes stem back to a controversial play where Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards executed an illegal hip-drop tackle on him, resulting in Mixon being sidelined for three games. Mixon didn’t hold back, calling out the tackle as a “weak-ass hip-drop tackle.” The tackle went unpunished during the game, but Edwards was hit with a fine after a review of the play. It just goes to show that emotions can run high on the field, especially when it comes to player safety.
As for the Texans’ injury report, left tackle Laremy Tunsil was able to return to full practice after dealing with an ankle injury that saw him limited the day before. Linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips continues to be limited due to a hip issue, while a handful of other players are still on the mend.
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Henry To’oTo’o, safety Jimmie Ward, and wide receiver Robert Woods all missed practice for the second consecutive game. It’s a tough blow for the Texans to be without so many key players, but it’s an opportunity for others to step up and make an impact on the field.
In the game of football, injuries are just another obstacle that teams have to overcome. It’s all about pushing through the adversity and finding a way to come out on top. For Mixon and the Texans, it’s all about putting the injuries behind them and focusing on getting the job done on game day.
