Texans provide injury update on RB Joe Mixon

(This story was updated to change or add a photo or video.)

The Houston Texans might be sitting at 4-1, but they need Joe Mixon back if they plan on looking like one of the league’s top teams.

On Monday, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Mixon is still working his way back from the ankle injury and that a timetable for his return remains up in the air.

Most notably, Ryans changed his wording from “day to day” to “week to week” when describing the timeline of Mixon’s status.

“We don’t know as of right now,” Ryans said on the possibility of Mixon returning this week. “I can’t give you that answer but we will see how Joe improves over the week. He has definitely been improving week to week, he’s been doing a great job attacking his rehab so we will see where he is as the week goes on.”

Mixon looked the part of RB1 in Week 1’s win over the Indianapolis Colts after rushing for 159 yards on 30 carries. In Week 2, he left during the third quarter after Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards used an illegal hip-drop tackle to bring him down.

The former Pro Bowler has missed the past three games because of the injury, leading to limited success on the ground.

While Edwards was fined $16,883 for the tackle, Houston is dealing with the ramifications of being limited at running back.

“Joe is out because of that, the hip-drop tackle,” Ryans said. “The NFL is doing a great job of communicating for an entire league of how we want to tackle, how we should tackle. We’re trying to get that out of the game. I think some guys have been fined for making those illegal tackles. But the fine doesn’t get your guy back soon enough.”

Mixon, who inked a three-year, $27 million deal in the offseason to become the focal back in Houston’s offense, has shown some signs of life. He participated in drills last Friday before being ruled out for Week 4’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Texans aren’t going to push Mixon back until he’s near full speed. For now, Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale remain the top two options entering Week 6’s matchup against the New England Patriots.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Akers scored a 15-yard touchdown during the first quarter on Sunday and caught a 6-yard score from C.J. Stroud in Week 3’s loss against the Minnesota Vikings.

Ogunbowale finished second in catches with five for 57 yards. He also scored the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard pass from Stroud in Week 4 over the Jaguars.

“Cam and Dare did a really nice job with the role that they have been asked to take on with us missing Joe and Dameon [Pierce],” Ryans said. “They have done a good job on the touchdown run.”

Kickoff from Gillette Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.