Former Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon feels 'great to be appreciated' by Houston Texans

In his first NFL regular-season game since the Cincinnati Bengals traded him to Houston in March, Texans running back Joe Mixon posted his third-best rushing game of his career, running for 159 yards with a touchdown in his team's season-opening win against Indianapolis.

Asked after the game by nbcsports.com whether Mixon wished the Texans had his former team on their schedule, he said he doesn't.

"Because I just wanna leave them where they're at, just like where they left me, man," Mixon said, per Mike Florio . "I'm happy to be on my new team, man, embracing me. It feels great to be able to be a big part of what we do over here. … I feel great to be appreciated here and to play a big part in what we do. … I'm just happy that I'm on this side now."

After the Bengals' 16-10 loss, CBS studio analysts Bill Cowher and JJ Watt suggested that Ja'Marr Chase's contract situation has been a distraction for the team, which has to visit the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in Week 2. In addition, Cowher said the Bengals should re-evaluate their preparation for the start of the season given their struggles in recent openers.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon feels 'great to be appreciated' by Houston Texans