Week 14 fantasy starts include Jordan Love, Jordan Mason, Darren Waller
USA TODAY Sports’ Joe Rivera and Jacob Camenker explain why starting these guys could be the smart fantasy move this week.
The Houston Texans somehow find themselves on the verge of a division title after their worst start under coach DeMeco Ryans.
Houston started the season 2-4 after a Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in prime time on “Monday Night Football.” Since then, the two-time defending AFC South champions have rattled off five wins in six games to be knocking on the door of a third consecutive division crown or a wild-card playoff berth.
That turnaround’s mostly credit to the Texans’ defense which ranks first in both yards and points allowed league-wide entering Week 14 of the regular season.
The offense has been a different story.
That unit’s struggled in its first year under coordinator Nick Caley. Things have turned around slightly on this recent four-game winning streak but the Texans still rank 23rd league-wide in rushing.
A lot of that has to do with personnel. Houston’s operated this year without Joe Mixon – the player who led the team in rushing last year.
Mixon hasn’t suited up at all this season after an offseason injury. His last appearance for the Texans came in the AFC divisional playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs last season.
Houston faces Kansas City on the road once again this week. Here’s what we know about his potential return:
When will Joe Mixon return?
There’s no clear timetable for Mixon’s return in 2025. He remains on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list as of Week 14 with no sign of the Texans moving him off of it.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Nov. 20 that Mixon is not expected to play this season because of the foot injury he suffered during the offseason.
Mixon quoted that post on X and refuted Rapoport’s claim. He wrote “Now, I get everyone’s looking for splash news & clickbait… but I’m just curious, Ian how do you know more about me than me? 🤔”
Mixon hasn’t elaborated on that post in subsequent posts to his social media profile. The team has not provided any updates, leaving us with little information as the regular season nears the final month. It’d be a surprise for him to make an appearance given how long he’s been out of the lineup.
Texans RB depth chart
Houston leaned on Chubb to start the year with Mixon out. As the season’s progressed, the rookie Marks has taken over as the lead back for the Texans with Ogunbowale offering more depth at the position in case of injuries.
