The Houston Texans are trying to pull off a second playoff upset, this time against the two-time Super Bowl-defending Kansas City Chiefs, so it's easy to see why the team needs all hands on deck.
That's why Joe Mixon's latest injury update is so big: Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the star running back is expected to play after being listed as questionable on Thursday's final injury report. Mixon was downgraded to a non-participant that day, leaving his status in doubt for Saturday's game.
It's a major boost for CJ Stroud and the Texans offense. Mixon ran for 1,016-yards and 11 touchdowns during the regular season and then ran for 106-yards and a touchdown on 25 carries in the Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
When Mixon isn't on the field the Texans offense averages -0.09 EPA/play, compared to +0.09 EPA/play when he is on the field. Stroud and Co. also field a 43% positive play rate when Mixon's around and a 39% positive play rate when he's absent.
The Texans are really going to need to run the ball against the Chiefs, especially when considering the pass protection issues surrounding Houston's offense and the prowess of the Kansas City's pass rush. Having Mixon in the fold obviously helps with that, but he also brings a physicality aspect that the offense feeds off of.
