Mixon has another important game ahead of him, which may be even more important for the Texans due to Diggs’ injury

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

This week’s return could be even more important as the Texans deal with another injury to their top quarterback following Sunday’s collapse of Stefon Diggs.

Diggs suffered a non-contact injury to his right knee, and coach DeMeco Ryans declined to provide any details about the injury on Monday, saying only that he was still being evaluated.

The injury caused leading receiver Nico Collins to be sidelined for at least one more game after being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Mixon has had at least 100 rushing yards and a TD in three straight games. He finished with 102 rushing yards and a touchdown Houston won 23-20 on Sunday over Indianapolis.

“Joe showed up at a big time for us when we needed him the most playing,” Ryans said.

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

The only time this season he didn’t have 100 yards and a score was in Week 2, when he missed almost the entire second half with an ankle injury that sidelined him for the next three games. He ranks third in the NFL in averaging 100.6 rushing yards per game.

If Diggs is absent this week, Tank Dell is the most likely candidate to pick up the slack in the passing game.

His production has declined this season after a stellar rookie year in which he had 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. He had 229 yards this season and scored his second touchdown in Sunday’s victory, improving Texas’ lead in the AFC South to 6-2.

But Ryans said a concerted effort will be needed to make sure Stroud and Houston’s passing offense, which ranks eighth in the NFL, stays on track.

“What I liked most about our game on Sunday was that there were a lot of guys who came out and played,” he said. “That’s what excites me most about our team… a lot of different guys are stepping up and playing and that’s what we’ll continue to see.”

What works

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

Safety Jalen Pitre, who had an interception on Sunday, said the secondary has gained an edge thanks to Houston’s pass rush, which ranks third in the league with 27 sacks.

“We’re doing a pretty good job, but a huge credit goes to our D-line,” Pitre said. “They are outstanding. They do their job at a high level, and this only makes opposing quarterbacks realize that they need to clear the ball earlier, which translates into incomplete passes and interceptions.

What needs help

The offensive line continued to struggle in pass protection on Sunday. According to NextGen Stats, Stroud was only sacked twice but struck out nine times and was pressured on 57.5% of his drops.

On Sunday, in the first quarter, the Texans moved left guard Kenyon Green to replace Jarrett Patterson, who was struggling with the pressure of the offense. But Green had to return soon after Patterson suffered a concussion.

Ryans said he will continue to evaluate the line to see how protection can be improved.

Stock up

Dell, who is in his second season, had four receptions for 35 yards and one touchdown on Sunday. The performance came after he was targeted four times against the Packers but resulted in zero receptions. He has nine career touchdowns, tying him with Will Fuller for the most touchdowns in franchise history through a player’s first 18 games.

“I’m just really proud of him for what he’s been able to do and he’s going to have to try really hard for us,” Stroud said.

Stocks down

Green for Sunday’s pass protection issues. The 15th overall pick in the 2022 draft missed all of last season due to injury before returning to the starting lineup this season.

“We can definitely be better, especially in terms of my play,” he said after the match.

Injuries

Sr. 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 were able to return this week. … S. Jimmie Ward will likely miss his fifth straight game with a groin injury.

Key number

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

Next steps

The Texans have a short break before visiting the New York Jets on Thursday night, where they will be looking for their fifth win in six games.

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