The Houston Texans have been short-handed at running back all season long thanks to an injury to Joe Mixon.
Mixon suffered a foot injury during the offseason that has kept him on the non-football injury list ever since. The details of that injury remain unclear, though.
There has been no shortage of doubts about Mixon's ability to return to the field this season after such a lengthy absence, and with details being scarce.
Here's what we know about Mixon's chances of playing in Week 14 and beyond.
Will Joe Mixon return in Week 14?
No, Mixon is not expected to play in Week 14, as his status remains up in the air.
Even if Mixon were to be unexpectedly designated to return from the NFI list, there is no way he'd be ready to play the first week after such a long absence.
Will Joe Mixon play this season?
This has yet to be determined, but there is enough out there to believe Mixon won't play this season.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Mixon is not expected to play this season.
"Texans RB Joe Mixon is not expected to play this season as he deals with a foot injury from the offseason," Rapoport reported. "Mixon likely remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list through the season."
However, Mixon has pushed back against that report and is clearly not closing the door on suiting up at some point.
"Now, I get everyone’s looking for splash news and clickbait," Mixon said in response to Rapoport's report. "But I’m just curious, Ian how do you know more about me than me?"
Despite Mixon's apparent optimism, we would say he's more likely to sit out this entire season than not.
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