In a thrilling matchup against the New England Patriots, Texans running back Joe Mixon battled through an ankle injury to make a triumphant return to the field. Despite not being at full strength, Mixon showcased his talent by rushing for an impressive 102 yards on just 13 carries, adding two receptions for 30 yards, and scoring two touchdowns.
The resilient Mixon, who had been sidelined for three games following a controversial tackle by Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards, was clearly motivated to prove his detractors wrong. He didn’t hold back in criticizing Edwards for his tackle, which Mixon described as a “weak-ass hip-drop tackle.” Despite the lack of a penalty on the play, Edwards was later fined for his actions.
Joining Mixon in the Texans’ backfield, running back Dameon Pierce made a successful return from a hamstring injury, marking his comeback by taking the field on Sunday. Pierce’s absence had been felt during his time on the practice report, but his return was a welcome sight for the Texans’ offense.
However, the team still faces some challenges on the injury front. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips were both limited in Wednesday’s practice, raising concerns about their availability for the upcoming games. The Texans will need these key players to recover quickly in order to maintain their competitive edge on the field.
Adding to the list of sidelined players, 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 due to various injuries. The Texans will have to rely on their depth and resilience to overcome these obstacles and continue their pursuit of victory in the grueling NFL season.
