Texans running back Joe Mixon returns to practice from ankle sprain that kept him out past three games

HOUSTON – Texans veteran running back Joe Mixon returned to practice Thursday on a limited basis from a sprained ankle suffered against the Chicago Bears on an illegal hip drop tackle.

Mixon is trending toward a potential return Sunday against the New England Patriots, barring a setback, according to league sources who expressed optimism that the California native is ready to go. Mixon is in the range for a full recovery from a less severe high-ankle sprain. Mixon said the decision will be made after practice Friday.

“I felt good,” Mixon said. “Obviously, been pretty much going back and forth trying to figure out when I might get back and start being able to participate in certain things. I think we’ll probably go to practice Friday, see what’s going on. And, obviously, that does come on a decision on whether to go or just wait another week. I’m just going to keep on working, and when it’s time to be out there, I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to show I’m the best on the field. It’s as simple as that.”

Mixon has missed the past three games after rushing for a season-high 159 yards and one touchdown on a career-high 30 carries in the season-opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale have been shouldering the workload in the backfield during his absence. The Texans rank sixth in total offense, third in passing offense. They’re averaging 104.2 rushing yards and 4.0 yards per carry, led by Mixon’s 184 yards followed by Akers’ 148 yards and one touchdown and Ogunbowale’s 40 yards on 19 carries. Quarterback C.J. Stroud ranks third on the team with 68 rushing yards.

“Yeah, he’s progressing,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “It’s like all the guys that are working through stuff. He’s working his tail off every day and trying to get healthy as fast as he can.”

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans was noncommittal on whether Mixon can play this week Wednesday. He indicated that running back Dameon Pierce, who practiced the past two days, expected to return to play Sunday against the New England Patriots after missing the past four games with a strained hamstring. Pierce was upgraded to full participation Thursday.

SEE ALSO Texans’ Joe Mixon out for third game in a row, Dameon Pierce returns, Tytus Howard sidelined

“For Joe and his injury, we will still evaluate that week to week,” Ryans said. “We don’t know, as of right now, I can’t give you that answer, but we will see how Joe improves over the week. He is definitely been improving week to week. He’s been a great job attacking his rehab so we will see where he is as the week goes on. Joe is out because of that, the hip drop tackle, and the NFL is doing a great job of communicating for an entire league of how we want to tackle, how we should tackle.

“And 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. So, it still hurt us that Joe was out and we just want to make sure, as a league, we’re doing a better job of eliminating the hip drop tackle, make sure we’re running our feet as defenders and making sure we just get that out of the game.”

Texans rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter, one of the top defensive rookies in the NFL and the team’s top draft pick, isn’t practicing the past two days and is expected to be sidelined for Sunday’s game due to a shoulder injury. Lassiter played every snap against the Buffalo Bills, recording three tackles and one pass defensed. Lassiter has a shoulder injury that could sideline him this week, per a league source. The Texans signed Ka’dar Hollman off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad and also have Myles Bryant, D’Angelo Ross, Kris Boyd and starter Derek Stingley Jr. on the 53-man roster. Ross took first-team defensive snaps Wednesday.

Meanwhile, veteran safety Jimmie Ward didn’t practice again. Ward is expected to miss at least one game, if not longer, per sources, after aggravating his groin injury Sunday and being ruled out for the game. Rookie safety Calen Bullock is preparing to start in place of Ward opposite Eric Murray. Ward went to the hospital for further examination Sunday after playing in the game and re-injuring his groin after being examined initially for a shoulder stinger in the blue medical tent, then being checked out for a groin injury.

Wide receiver Robert Woods (foot) didn’t practice again and he is expected to miss the game, according to a league source. Woods is in a protective walking boot to aid the healing process, per a source.

The offensive line got Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil (ankle), right tackle Tytus Howard (hamstring) and left guard Kenyon Green (knee) back to practice after they were held out Wednesday.

Tunsil and defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (calf) participated fully.

Howard missed the Bills game with a hamstring injury and was replaced in the lineup by rookie Blake Fisher as he made his first NFL start. Howard was preparing to start Sunday before being ruled out in a game-time decision, per sources.

Defensive end Derek Barnett (shoulder) returned to practice along with linebacker Jake Hansen (back). Both were limited along with Green, Howard and linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (hip).

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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 click2houston.com.