‘I know my number will be called’: Texans’ Joe Mixon primed for Chiefs game

HOUSTON – Texans running back Joe Mixon participated in practice, a light and short workout Tuesday, after sustaining a minor ankle injury during an unflagged hip-drop tackle Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

It’s a positive sign that Mixon should be fine for Saturday’s game against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Even more so was Mixon’s ultra-confident stance about his status and role after being limited with a rest designation on the official injury report.

“I know my number will be called in a major way, and, when it’s called, I’ll definitely be ready for it to deliver, man,” Mixon said. “So, I definitely look forward to everything that’s in front of us.”

Mixon was able to finish the game, but was favoring the ankle during and after the 20-12 victory over Miami as he rushed for just 23 yards on 12 carries and caught five passes for 33 yards to lead the offense in catches and yards.

Mixon, acquired in a lopsided offseason trade engineered by Texans general manager Nick Caserio for a seventh-round draft pick and signed to a three-year, $27 million contract extension, has rushed for 910 yards on 217 carries and 11 touchdowns. He’s averaging 4.2 yards per run and is on pace to finish the season with 1,105 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

“Yeah, we’re starting playoff football right now,” Mixon said. “I’ve got to be there, and I’m going to be there. I’m going to be there for my teammates and obviously for myself. I’m going to attack recovery.”

“Yeah, Joe came out fine,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. “He missed some time there, but he’ll be fine.”

The Texans believe that Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks tackled Mixon illegally, a stance backed by NFL rules analyst and retired referee Gene Steratore.

Earlier this season, the Texans’ veteran running back expressed his frustration about the injury he suffered on Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards’ illegal hip-drop tackle that didn’t draw a penalty. Edwards was fined $16,883 for a first offense under a new NFL rule outlawing a tackling technique that has caused a high frequency of injuries.

“I mean people see what it is, if they don’t want to be fair about it then I’m going to let the people speak on it,” Mixon said. “They know my stance, they really do. Honestly, it’s tough on a defender. I’m going to be real. When it comes down to it, I don’t truly think people are trying to be deliberate.

“People just get lazy on tackles, and unfortunately, that’s the result.. The best thing is I’m up walking and obviously finished the game, so just going to keep doing what I can to attack recovery and get ready for Saturday.”

The Texans have communicated with the NFL about how they feel about the lack of enforcement of the rulebook.

“The play with Joe on the sideline, we see that as a hip-drop tackle that didn’t get flagged there, but see it as a hip-drop tackle,” Ryans said. “Unfortunate. Again, it’s something we’re trying to clean up and get out of the game from a defensive perspective. Guys just have to do a better job of getting their bodies in front and wrapping up and running your feet.”

When Mixon got hurt in the second game of the season, he was coming off a 159-yard, one-touchdown performance in a season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts that earned him AFC Player of the Week honors, the injury sidelined the NFL rushing leader at the time.

“I was the No. 1 leader in rushing, obviously I was stopped because of that weak-ass hip-drop tackle,” Mixon said after returning from the injury. “I want to be out there. I can’t do nothing about that. It’s frustrating. It is what it is. I want to be out there more than anybody.”

“You got guys out here protecting themselves from hits and they getting fined $45,000 and $50,000. And for an illegal hip drop tackle they’re getting fined $16,000 when it’s supposed to be an emphasis, it’s supposed to be taken out of the game. So, obviously, the priorities ain’t right with what’s going on. Obviously, it is frustrating to see. But it is what it is. If we’re going to talk about playing the game the right way, we also got to have integrity for the game when it comes to it. That’s how I feel about it.

• SEE ALSO Texans’ Joe Mixon injured ankle, returned after apparent unflagged hip-drop tackle he wants enforced

“The defender landed on his ankle,” Ryans said after the Bears game. “So, tough spot to be in. We all want to coach it better on defenders. That is why you want to put your body in front and tackle guys in front and not reaching from behind, and the defender is in a bad spot there. He’s trying to get Joe down and the only way when you’re in a bad spot, the only way, is to unweight yourself and you put your weight off on his leg. So, unfortunate that that happened to Joe.”

Mixon, who finished the Chicago game with nine carries for 25 yards, has been outspoken about the hip-drop tackle enforcement.

“The NFL and NFLPA made it a rule and an emphasis for a reason,” Mixon wrote on social media after the game. “Time to put your money where your mouth is. When I got up, I asked the ref where is the flag that was a hip tackle. & his reply was no it wasn’t.”

When the NFL Players Association posted a statement on social media about the locker room media policy, Mixon wrote: “Player safety is what matters & should be the focus not media access.”

NOTES: Texans veteran defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi, who injured his ankle Sunday and was ruled out of the game, didn’t practice Tuesday.

Several other players didn’t practice, including wide receiver John Metchie III (shoulder), backup quarterback Davis Mills (illness), linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (foot), offensive guard Juice Scruggs (out two to three weeks, per league sources) and tight end Cade Stover, who is recovering from an emergency appendectomy. Stover is recovering well, but will not play against the Chiefs.

Offensive guard Kenyon Green, who was designated for return last week and not activated, participated fully. He has made a full recovery from a shoulder injury suffered earlier this season against the New York Jets.

Tight end Dalton Schultz, who got an upper body injury checked out in the blue medical tent and finished the game Sunday, participated Tuesday.

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