Texans training camp: DeMeco Ryans provides update on RB Joe Mixon

The Houston Texans will take the field on Tuesday morning in front of hundreds of fans for their first padded training camp practice.

Fans should be excited to see a crop of new faces joining the AFC South champions, including rookie cornerback Kamari Lassite r, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, All-Pro defensive end Danielle Hunter and Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs.

One newcomer, however, likely won’t be participating in drills in front of the H-Town faithful.

Running back Joe Mixon is expected to “miss a little time,” according to Texans coach DeMeco Ryans for an undisclosed reason. Mixon, whom the Texans traded for this offseason from Cincinnati, previously missed the last two practices.

While the life of a running back can be short-lived, Mixon’s time away from the field is expected to be minimal at best. Ryans said it’s nothing to worry about moving into the middle of the week and there’s no reason to be overly concerned.

“Joe is one of the toughest competitors we have,” Ryans said Monday. “I’m not worried about Joe. He’ll be fine. No issues there.”

Houston believes Mixon still has plenty left in the tank after acquiring him for a seventh-round pick earlier this offseason. Mixon, who turns 28 later this month, also should be here for the long haul after signing a three-year extension worth $27 million shortly after arriving in March.

Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik mentioned his enjoyment coaching Mixon given his personality, but also his versatility. Not only does the four-time 1,000-yard runner offer value on the ground, but he also serves as a multi-purpose security blanket for quarterbacks in the passing game.

“He loves football. He does not stop wanting to learn, wanting to grow, which, again, just fits in with everyone else that we have,” Slowik said. “And he’s all in on he’s going to do whatever it takes to win.”

Drafted out of Oklahoma in 2017, Mixon ranks seventh among active running backs with 283 receptions. He also ranks third in carries, fourth in rushing yards and seventh in rushing touchdowns.

When looking at consistency, few have been up to the 2021 Pro Bowler’s level. Over his final three seasons with the Bengals, he averaged 253 carries and 4.1 yards per attempt.

That amount of work could lead to injury concerns, but the Texans plan on using Mixon to that level in the regular season. He’s not complaining about being the workhorse back, either.

“I feel very confident in the role that I’ll have in this offense,” Mixon said on Friday. “I’m going to embrace everything that comes with it. Like I said, I did all the work in the offseason so for come season, that’s when I know it’ll pay off.”