Texans’ Joe Mixon returns to action Sunday, active after three-game ankle injury

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Texans veteran running back Joe Mixon returns to action Sunday against the New England Patriots after missing three games with a sprained ankle suffered on an illegal tackle against the Chicago Bears.

Mixon is active and expected to have a solid workload, per league sources.

He was officially listed as questionable on the injury report, but practiced both Thursday and Friday and was expected to play the past four days.

The Texans’ inactives are offensive lineman Nick Broeker, outside linebacker Rashad Weaver, wide receiver Robert Woods (foot), safety Jimmie Ward (groin) and cornerback Kamari Lassiter (scapula).

Mixon returned to practice Thursday on a limited basis from a sprained ankle suffered against the Chicago Bears on an illegal hip drop tackle.

Mixon had entered the range for a full recovery from a less severe high-ankle sprain.

“I felt good,” Mixon said Thursday afternoon. “Obviously, been pretty much going back and forth trying to figure out when I might get back and start being able to participate in certain things. I think we’ll probably go to practice Friday, see what’s going on. And, obviously, that does come on a decision on whether to go or just wait another week. I’m just going to keep on working, and when it’s time to be out there, I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to show I’m the best on the field. It’s as simple as that.”

Texans’ Joe Mixon practices again, expected to play Sunday, Kamari Lassiter, Jimmie Ward out this week (click2houston.com)

Mixon has missed the past three games after rushing for a season-high 159 yards and one touchdown on a career-high 30 carries in the season-opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale have been shouldering the workload in the backfield during his absence. The Texans rank sixth in total offense, third in passing offense. They’re averaging 104.2 rushing yards and 4.0 yards per carry, led by Mixon’s 184 yards followed by Akers’ 148 yards and one touchdown and Ogunbowale’s 40 yards on 19 carries. Quarterback C.J. Stroud ranks third on the team with 68 rushing yards.

“Yeah, he’s progressing,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said of Mixon “It’s like all the guys that are working through stuff. He’s working his tail off every day and trying to get healthy as fast as he can.”

The Texans get back Mixon and backup running back Dameon Pierce, who missed the past four games with a strained hamstring.

Texans rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter, one of the top defensive rookies in the NFL and the team’s top draft pick, is out with a scapula injury and expected to miss multiple games this month, per league sources.

The Texans are starting cornerback D’Angelo Ross in place of Lassiter.

The Texans signed Ka’dar Hollman off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad. Hollman is another option to fill in because of his height and how he held up last season against Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London in a start. Hollman is expected to play on special teams.

Veteran safety Jimmie Ward is out for this game if not longer, per sources, after aggravating his groin injury Sunday against the Buffalo Bills and being ruled out for the game. Rookie safety Calen Bullock will start in place of Ward opposite Eric Murray. Ward went to the hospital for further examination Sunday after playing in the game and re-injuring his groin after being examined initially for a shoulder stinger in the blue medical tent, then being checked out for a groin injury. Ward was officially ruled out Friday.

Texans veteran defensive end Derek Barnett (shoulder, questionable) is expected to play Sunday against the Patriots, per a league source.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 click2houston.com.