Houston Texans can’t afford Joe Mixon injury in training camp

The Houston Texans begin their quest to defend their AFC South title with a visit to Indianapolis. However, before the season can begin, final roster spots must be determined, and anyone who is guaranteed a spot must make it through training camp without incident.

The Texans can’t afford to lose one player, but it’s one of their new acquisitions: Joe Mixon. Mixon arrived via trade from Cincinnati and is expected to be the best running back this season. Sure, losing a starter would be a blow to a young team, but he could end up becoming one of the key pieces of this offense. Without a capable running game, this team could have been very different last season, and that could be the case again in 2024 if something happens to Mixon.

In the 2023 campaign, Devin Singletary led the way in rushing yards with 898. In the grand scheme of things, he had the 21st-most rushing yards in the league. Suffice it to say, Houston doesn’t need elite play from Mixon, who had the eighth-most rushing yards with 1,034 last season. However, the team needs solid, competent play at the position, so CJ Stroud isn’t throwing the ball every play, which could put him at risk if the offense becomes too one-dimensional.

The reason we’re referring to last season is that Singletary may have led the Texans in rushing yards, but he didn’t start the season as the top running back. That distinction goes to Dameon Pierce.

Pierce started the first seven games before taking Singletary’s place. In his starts, Pierce rushed for 327 yards, an average of less than 47 per game, and a career-high 81, as Houston opened a 3-4 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

After that game against the Panthers, Singletary took over. Suddenly, the Texans had a great running game. In his first seven starts, Singletary rushed for 528 yards, an average of over 75 per game, and three games of 100 or more yards. Houston was 5-2 in Singletary’s first seven starts.

Singletary is no longer with the team. However, Pierce still plays the role of backup. If Mixon were to suffer an injury of any kind in training camp that would force him to miss part of the season, Pierce would likely be the guy to take over the starting job, making Mixon one of the most essential players on offense, and a player Houston can’t afford to lose to illness during camp.