Texans’ Joe Mixon injured ankle, returned after apparent unflagged hip-drop tackle he wants enforced

HOUSTON – Texans star running back Joe Mixon injured his ankle in the third quarter and returned to play after being examined and initially characterized with a questionable to return status from the team.

He was tackled on an apparent hip drop tackle and is upset that there was no call in the Texans’ 19-13 victory after catching a pass.

Mixon wants the rules to be enforced. It’s a point of emphasis for the league. Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards could be fined for the missed infraction after the NFL reviews the play this week.

“The NFL and NFLPA made it a rule and an emphasis for a reason,” Mixon wrote on social media after the game. “Time to put your money where your mouth is.”

Mixon later followed up on his post about his interaction with the referee about the no-call.

“When I got up I asked the ref where is the flag that was a hip tackle. & his reply was no it wasn’t,” Mixon wrote.

Mixon returned to play and had a carry for one yard. Mixon rushed for 25 yards on nine carries and caught three passes for 25 yards on five targets.

After the game, Mixon made it a point to call out the NFL for the lack of consistency in officiating this rule, which was intended to reduce injuries.

Mixon limped off the field under his own power to the blue medical tent before quickly heading inside the locker room for further examination.

Mixon went back to the sideline after getting checked out, rode the stationary bike and lobbied the team medical staff to allow him to go back into the game.

“Joe got rolled up,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “The guy’s weight definitely came down on his ankle. Didn’t look good from my view. We’ll evaluate Joe throughout the week. Hopefully, he’s okay. Have to see the film and see if it was really a hip drop tackle.”

The hip drop tackle has been banned since the rule was changed in March at the NFL owners meetings. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase became highly upset Sunday with an official when he felt like a hip drop tackle from the Kansas City Chiefs wasn’t enforced.

Mixon was replaced by third running back Cam Akers, who’s active Sunday night against the Chicago Bears with Dameon Pierce out this game with a strained hamstring. Akers lost a fumble late in the game. He rushed for 32 yards on seven carries.

Mixon and his downhill running style left the Indianapolis Colts’ traditionally stout defense bruised and demoralized as they had no answers for how the Texans’ running game beat them to the punch at every angle.

Mixon injected both a smash-mouth element to the Texans’ offense and doubles as a speedy breakaway threat who nearly got loose for several long runs. Ultimately, what Mixon’s 159-yard, one-touchdown rushing performance on 30 carries means for the Texans’ offense is simple.

Mixon’s punishing presence keeps opposing defenses honest. They have to load the tackle box to try to contain Mixon. At the same time, that opens up play-action fakes the defense has to respect and makes the offense flow even more behind Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud and a receiving corps headlined by Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell.

Mixon was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week and the Fed-Ex Ground NFL Player of the Week after averaging over five yards per carry against the Colts.

A former Pro Bowl running back acquired in an offseason trade from the Cincinnati Bengals who has scored 29 touchdowns combined over the previous three seasons, Mixon was signed to a three-year, $27 million extension this offseason.

“I really didn’t notice it,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said of the tackle. “I seen him kind of just fall down weird. I was like, ‘Man, that didn’t look good.’ So I definitely am praying for him. I know he’s a tough guy. Just take care of himself right now. Hope he’s back on the field soon.

“As you can see, we need Joe. Joe is an amazing back. Yeah, definitely shocked us and it shifted momentum a little bit. But that’s up to my job. That’s for me to get the juices back going, not let that happen, let us go downhill. I hope he’s okay. That’s the main thing. I just hope Joe is all right. I didn’t notice the tackle.”

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