HOUSTON – The Texans will be without their best runner in Week 3 as running back Joe Mixon will not travel to the game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Mixon suffered an ankle injury on what appeared to be an illegal hip-drop tackle during the Texans’ 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 2. The injury occurred with 11:57 left in the third quarter when Texans quarterback CJ Stroud completed a pass to Mixon, who was running down the sideline before being brought down by Bears linebacker TJ Edwards. The referees did not penalize Edwards, and Mixon left the game shortly afterward before returning.

Mixon finished the game with 11 carries for 25 yards, but ranks seventh in the NFL in rushing yards this season (184). The Texans will also be without backup running back Dameon Pierce, who also missed Week 2 with a hamstring injury.

Cam Akers is expected to do the majority of the work for the Texans. Akers played for the Vikings in 2023 after being traded from the Los Angeles Rams last September. His season ended prematurely after he tore his left Achilles tendon in Week 9.

Last week, Akers filled in for Mixon during his injury and rushed for 32 yards on seven carries, so the coaching staff is confident he can handle the workload.

“He has great vision. He ran — he used the zone scheme he came from — he did the same thing in Minnesota,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said Thursday. “He can read that really well, we call it riding the wave, finding the right hole to hit. He always plays under control. When he sees it, he strikes. He finishes physically. And he has really good contact balance and I would say those are the things that stand out with Cam.”