FantasyPros Accuracy Award

2025 Accuracy Award Winner

Close FantasyPros Accuracy Award
Open Nav
Players
    Articles
      Shark Bites
        Show Navigation
        Show Menu
        FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

        Joe Mixon Iffy For Week 1. Here's What It Means ...

        By Jared Smola | Updated on Sat, Jul 26 2025 6:34 PM UTC
        Joe Mixon Headshot

        Texans RB Joe Mixon is expected to miss "an extended period of time with a frustrating foot injury," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Mixon has been dealing with an injury for much of the offseason, but it was previously reported as a right ankle. It's unclear if this is a separate injury, or if the initial reporting was bad. Regardless, it sounds like Mixon will miss all of training camp, and "there's a chance" he won't available for Week 1, per Rapoport. Mixon "will be re-evaluated closer to the season to determine his availability," Rapoport adds.

        What They're Saying

        Insider Jordan Schultz has a slightly more optimistic report: "Mixon will miss multiple weeks of training camp with the hopes of being able to return for Week 1. Houston will be cautious with their star running back."

        2025 Fantasy Football Impact

        It doesn't sound like there's a firm timetable for Mixon's return. But this is a bad look for a 29-year-old RB with a lengthy injury history.

        Even when Mixon does get back on the field, he'll carry multiple risk factors:

        1. Re-injury risk
        2. Injury-related decline
        3. A lightened workload

        Mixon is taking a significant fall down our RB rankings. We'll see where his ADP goes from here.

        Other Winners & Losers

        RBs Nick Chubb, Woody Marks, and Dameon Pierce are behind Mixon on the depth chart. Chubb has already been working as the lead back in training camp and would project as the best fantasy bet if Mixon misses time.

        That said, Chubb is 29 now and has suffered serious season-ending injuries in two straight years -- a multi-ligament knee injury in 2023 and a broken left foot last year. He mustered just 3.3 yards per carry across his eight games last season. Chubb could rebound some in 2025, another year removed from the knee injury. But this is no longer an elite runner.

        Chubb would also likely cede some (or even most) of the passing-down work to Marks. The fourth-round rookie posted mediocre rushing numbers across five college seasons, but he totaled a whopping 261 receptions.

        We'll keep an eye on this Mixon-less backfield over the next month, but neither Chubb nor Marks is a particularly exciting fantasy pick unless Mixon misses significant regular-season time.

        Jared Smola Author Image
        Jared Smola, Lead Analyst
        Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and in-season tools. He currently ranks ninth among 173 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.
        Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Buy a High-Ceiling WR Ahead of Week 2

        Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Buy a High-Ceiling WR Ahead of Week 2

        11:44am UTC 9/11/25

        Jameson Williams and the Lions got put to sleep in Week 1. Here's why you should buy him -- and two other potential stud WRs -- before they wake up.

        Read More »
        Week 2 Matchups That Matter: Perfect Bounce-Back Spot For Bengals

        Week 2 Matchups That Matter: Perfect Bounce-Back Spot For Bengals

        9:54am UTC 9/11/25

        A quick look at the most important matchup data to consider when making Week 2 start/sit decisions. Projected points, WR-CB matchup upgrades and downgrades, and more!

        Read More »
        Don’t Trust the Box Score: Rookie RB Was More Impressive Than His Stats

        Don’t Trust the Box Score: Rookie RB Was More Impressive Than His Stats

        5:53pm UTC 9/10/25

        The box score says one thing, but the film tells a different story. A rookie flashed, a vet proved he still has it, and a WR’s stats looked inflated.

        Read More »
        Money Back You have our personal money-back guarantee: If you’re not happy with our service for any reason, just reach out by December 31, 2025, and we’ll give you 100% of your subscription money back. No strings attached.  You can cancel with one-click from your account page anytime.
        Compare Plans » Compare Plans »