Mixon has another big game, Diggs injury could be even more important for Texans

HOUSTON (AP) — Joe Mixon has carried Houston’s offense in all three games since returning from injury.

Running back could be even more important this week as the Texans deal with another injury to a top receiver following Stefon Diggs’ loss on Sunday.

Diggs suffered a non-contact injury to his right knee, and coach DeMeco Ryans declined to provide any details about the injury Monday, saying only that it was under evaluation.

The injury comes as leading receiver Nico Collins is sidelined for at least one more game after being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Mixon has rushed for at least 100 yards and a TD in three straight games. He finished with 102 yards rushing and a touchdown. Houston’s 23-20 victory Sunday over Indianapolis.

“Joe gave us great attention when we needed him to make plays the most,” Ryans said.

Mixon, who spent his first season in Houston after being traded from Cincinnati, became the first player in NFL history to rush for at least 100 yards and a TD in four of his first five games with a team.

His only 100 yards and no score this season came in Week 2, when he missed nearly the entire second half with an ankle injury that kept him out of the next three games. He ranks third in the NFL in rushing, averaging 100.6 yards a game.

If Diggs is out this week, Tank Dell is the most likely candidate to fill the void in the passing game.

His production has dropped off this season after a standout rookie year in which he had 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. He has 229 yards this season and scored his second touchdown in Sunday’s win, which improved the AFC South-leading Texans to 6-2.

But Ryans said it took a group effort to keep Stroud and Houston’s passing attack, which ranks eighth in the NFL, on track.

“What I liked about our game (Sunday) was you saw multiple guys step up and make plays,” he said. “That’s what I’m most excited about about our team… a lot of different guys are stepping up and making plays and we’ll continue to see that.”

What works?

Houston’s defense entered Monday’s game ranked second in the NFL in allowing just 280.3 yards per game. The team’s strength was its pass defense, which gave up just 164.3 yards per game.

Safety Jalen Pitre, who had an interception on Sunday, said the secondary got a boost from Houston’s passing offense, which ranked third in the league with 27 sacks.

“We’re doing a pretty good job, but this is a big asset for our D line,” Pitre said. “They are extraordinary. “They’re doing their job at a high level, and that just lets opposing quarterbacks know they need to get the ball out sooner, and that translates into incompletions and interceptions.”

What is the need for help?

The offensive line continued to struggle in pass protection on Sunday. According to NextGen stats, Stroud was sacked just twice but was hit nine more times and was under pressure on 57.5% of his dropbacks.

The Texans benched left linebacker Kenyon Green in place of Jarrett Patterson, who struggled against the offense in the first quarter on Sunday. However, Green had to return soon after because Patterson suffered a concussion.

Ryans said they will continue to evaluate the line to see how they can improve protection.

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Dell, who is in his second season, had four receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. The performance came after being targeted four times against the Packers and finishing with zero receptions. He has nine career goals, which ties him with Will Fuller for most in franchise history by a player in their first 18 games.

“I’m extremely proud of him and what he can do and how he has to step up really big for us,” Stroud said.

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Green for his struggles in pass protection on Sunday. The 15th overall pick of the 2022 draft missed all of last season with injuries before returning to the starting lineup this season.

“We can definitely be better, especially from my perspective,” he said after the match.

injuries

S Calen Bullock was limited in practice on Monday after suffering a shoulder injury on Sunday. … LBs Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and Henry To’oTo’o (concussion) missed the Colts game but could return this week. … S Jimmie Ward is likely to miss a fifth consecutive game with a groin injury.

key number

13.3% — Houston’s defense limited Anthony Richardson to a 13.3% completion percentage in the first half on Sunday; this was the second-lowest percentage of any player to complete a half since 1991. The second-year quarterback completed just 2 of 15 passes before halftime. .

Next steps

The Texans will make a quick turnaround before visiting the New York Jets on Thursday night, where they will try to get their fifth win in six games.

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