Texans’ Joe Mixon returns to practice, criticizes NFL: ‘I was stopped because of that weak-ass hip-drop tackle’

HOUSTON – Joe Mixon doesn’t confine his direct, hard-charging approach to the football field.

The Texans’ veteran running back, who looked sharp in his return to practice from a high-ankle sprain, expressed his frustration about the injury he suffered on Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards illegal hip-drop tackle that didn’t draw a penalty and a fine of $16,883 for a first offense under a new NFL rule outlawing a tackling technique that has caused a high frequency of injuries.

When Mixon got hurt in the second game of the season, he was coming off a 159-yard, one-touchdown performance in a season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts that earned him AFC Player of the Week honors, the injury sidelined the NFL rushing leader at the time.

“I was the No. 1 leader in rushing, obviously I was stopped because of that weak-ass hip-drop tackle,” Mixon said Thursday inside the Texans’ locker room. “I want to be out there. I can’t do nothing about that. It’s frustrating. It is what it is. I want to be out there more than anybody.”

Texans wide receiver Nico Collins was fined $22,511 for unnecessary roughness against the Jacksonville Jaguars for lowering his helmet in a sideline hit with safety Antonio Johnson. And running backs Josh Jacobs and Zach Charbonnet were fined $45,020 for the same infraction.

“You got guys out here protecting themselves from hits and they getting fined $45,000 and $50,000,” Mixon said. “And for an illegal hip drop tackle they’re getting fined $16,000 when it’s supposed to be an emphasis, it’s supposed to be taken out of the game. So, obviously, the priorities ain’t right with what’s going on. Obviously, it is frustrating to see. But it is what it is. If we’re going to talk about playing the game the right way, we also got to have integrity for the game when it comes to it. That’s how I feel about it.

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

And the frustration of not being able to play for Mixon kept mounting. Signed to a three-year, $27 million extension following an offseason trade from the Cincinnati Bengals, Mixon was acquired to be a focal point of the offense.

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.

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 mild 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.”

“The defender landed on his ankle,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said after the Bears game. “So, tough spot to be in. We all want to coach it better on defenders. That is why you want to put your body in front and tackle guys in front and not reaching from behind, and the defender is in a bad spot there. He’s trying to get Joe down and the only way when you’re in a bad spot, the only way, is to unweight yourself and you put your weight off on his leg. So, unfortunate that that happened to Joe.”

Mixon, who finished the Chicago game with nine carries for 25 yards, caught three passes for 25 yards. He has been outspoken about the hip-drop tackle enforcement.

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

When the NFL Players Association posted a statement on social media about the locker room media policy, Mixon wrote: “Player safety is what matters & should be the focus not media access.”

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