Fantasy fallout: Joe Mixon to miss at least first 4 weeks on NFI list

The Houston Texans are placing running back Joe Mixon on the Non Football Injury (NFI) list to start the season, per Aaron Wilson. This move isn’t too surprising, as Mixon has yet to practice after starting training camp on the NFI list. There have been no positive reports concerning Mixon after he injured his foot in the offseason.

The Texans acquired ex-Browns great Nick Chubb in the offseason, likely as insurance for Mixon’s injury. They also selected USC’s Woody Marks in the fourth round after trading up to grab him, while Dameon Pierce and third-down back Dare Ogunbowale both return.

Mixon had a strong 2024, as he ran the ball 245 times for 1,016 rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns, so there is room for a starting back in Houston to put up good fantasy football numbers. The question is, who will that be?

At this point, Chubb appears to be in the driver’s seat, as head coach DeMeco Ryans talked glowingly about him on Monday.

The question remains, does Chubb still have the ability to be a lead back after suffering two catastrophic knee injuries? His return to Cleveland did not go well, but another offseason to heal and train could have him closer to his old self than last season.

We’ve also seen Dameon Pierce splitting time with Chubb in practice, while Marks and Ogunbowale will likely soak up the passing down work. There are plenty of questions surrounding playing time, if we’re looking for an early down back with good touchdown upside to start the season, Chubb is right there for the taking.

The next question when evaluating Chubb’s value is whether or not Mixon will be activated after his four weeks are up. Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to that question. But, if you are looking to invest in Chubb for fantasy, there are enough questions swirling about Mixon’s injury to believe he may not be back for Week 5. His return date remains very much up in the air.

Marks was coveted by the Texans enough for them to trade up with the Dolphins to grab him in the fourth round. Reports have Marks as a capable blocker and strong receiver. The Texans are likely going to need both skill sets this season, as their offensive line remains one of the weakest in the league. He is worth a flier in PPR leagues to be sure.

Mixon’s injury doesn’t give us smash options for fantasy, as Chubb’s ability is still in question, while we know Dameon Pierce has been given a chance and hasn’t been able to prove himself. Other than Marks, there isn’t much juice in this backfield right now. I do believe Chubb makes for a good pick later in drafts, especially if you play in a standard league. However, I’m not champing at the bit to reach for him in fantasy drafts.