Texans training camp: RB Joe Mixon getting healthy at the right moment

Joe Mixon likely won’t make his Houston Texans debut until Week 1 on the road against the Indianapolis Colts.

He likely won’t debut in front of a packed NRG Stadium until the following week when the Texans return home for a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Chicago Bears.

But the Texans didn’t trade a late Day 3 pick for Mixon to stand out in the preseason.

They didn’t sign him to a new three-year, $27 million extension to be a star in practice and miss valuable reps in the season.

Mixon is here to stabilize the run game on Sundays and help Houston advance past the AFC Divisional Round. As training camp winds down, he’s nearing full strength after dealing with a calf injury that sidelined him most of the month.

“I feel good,” Mixon said Wednesday following practice. “The only thing is getting used to this heat. It’s hard getting used to that. But other than that, man, getting my legs up under me and (being) able to get that chemistry with the O-line and receivers and, obviously, C.J. (Stroud), it feels great.”

Mixon, a four-time 1,000-yard runner during his seven seasons with the Bengals, has put together several strong practices since working his way back to 100 percent. Wednesday might have been his best practice since joining the squad in March after posting two long runs in the open field after evading a pair of defenders at the line of scrimmage.

The bust, straightline speed and agility were all on display as Mixon showed why there’s still plenty left in the tank heading into Year 8.

“To see Laremy [Tunsil] and to see Joe and see the type of workers that they are, it helps everyone around them to see if you want to be a good player, you have to push and work like those guys work,” coach DeMeco Ryans said.

Mixon, who returned to practice last week, didn’t play in Saturday’s win over the New York Giants. Even if the Texans want to catch him up to speed, it could be wise to leave him on the bench since he’s a sure-fire starter come Week 1.

While the preseason is ideal for Texans’ players, time away in August hasn’t stopped Mixon from putting together back-to-back stellar outings during his final two years with the Bengals. Since earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2021, Mixon has rushed for 1,848 yards and 16 touchdowns without coughing up a turnover.

His preseason snap total in preparation for those campaigns? Five in over two years.

“It’s just obviously getting into that football shape is a little different. I’m sure it’ll be a whole hell of a lot different being in that stadium (NRG Stadium) versus being outside like this in this heat,” Mixon said. “I’m very confident if we go elsewhere, that wind will be there, so it’s all good.”

Kickoff against the Los Angeles Rams is scheduled for noon at NRG Stadium this Saturday. Roster cuts must be made by August 27 at 4 p.m.