A survivor of multiple hip-drop tackles, 28-year-old trade acquisition Mixon crossed the 1,000-yard rushing threshold for the fifth time despite missing Weeks 3-5 with an ankle injury. Somewhat surprisingly the engine of the Texans’ offense all season, Mixon stacked up ridiculous workloads as slumping sophomore QB C.J. Stroud and OC Bobby Slowik tried to figure out what to do with each other. As always, Mixon was not efficient — he averaged 4.1 yards per carry and was middle of the pack in rush yards over expected — but he was tough and productive. He always got what was blocked. Guaranteed $4 million for 2025, Mixon will be back as the Texans’ lead back, though they could look to upgrade Dameon Pierce in the No. 2 spot.

Both players came into the weekend listed as questionable, with Mixon downgraded throughout the week with an ankle injury and Woods missing all three practices with a hip injury. Also active for the Texans is linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Inactive for the Texans are RB J.J. Taylor, LB Devin White ,DE Jerry Hughes, G/C Kendrick Green, G Nick Broeker, and DT Kurt Hinish.

Rapoport reports that linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) will also play after being listed as questionable on Friday. Mixon suffered his ankle injury on Wednesday and was a DNP on Thursday, so we don’t know much about the severity of his injury other than it’s not believed to be “a major injury,” according to a report from Friday. It sounds like the Texans will be able to lean on Mixon in his normal role on Saturday as the Texans hope to top the Chiefs and make a trip to the AFC Championship Game next week.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said this morning that the ankle issue isn’t major and Mixon has a “real chance” to play, so Schultz’s reporting all but guarantees Mixon will take the field on Saturday. The Texans added Mixon to the practice report on Wednesday and then downgraded him to a DNP on Thursday. He is officially questionable for Saturday’s game. The moves all seem to have been precautionary. Barring a setback, Mixon will face the Chiefs. Per Schultz, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, questionable with a knee injury, is also expected to play.