The Houston Texans are closing in on having to rely on Cam Akers at running back for a second straight week, as fellow running backs Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce missed practice for a second straight day on Thursday.
Pierce, the team’s leading rusher as a rookie in 2022, is battling a hamstring injury. Mixon, who joined the Texans in the offseason after starring for the Cincinnati Bengals for seven seasons, is considered week-to-week after suffering a sprained ankle against the Chicago Bears in Week 2.
Mixon, 28, is the team’s leading rusher with 184 yards on 39 carries despite missing the Texans’ 34-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week.
In his absence, Akers, 25, scraped out just 21 yards on nine carries (2.3 yards per carry) to lead the team. The Texans (2-1) managed just 38 yards on the ground as a team.
Pierce, 24, has also missed significant time, appearing in just one game this season (Week 1 vs. the Indianapolis Colts), running the ball three times for 16 yards. The team is optimistic he can return soon, though he sat out his second straight practice Thursday.
Pierce ran for 939 yards in 2022 before running for 416 yards last season.
Wide receiver Tank Dell (hand/ribs) and safety Jimmie Ward (groin) also didn’t practice Thursday, as the Texans prepare to host the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) on Sunday.
Wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (shoulder) participated on a limited basis.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars had a new addition to the injury report in linebacker Devin Lloyd (knee). Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun already was reported out with a foot issue, plantar fasciitis, and is expected to miss several weeks. Tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) has been out since warmups against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 15.
Listed as limited on Thursday were running back Tank Bigsby (shoulder), offensive lineman Cam Robinson (knee), wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder) and defensive backs Darnell Savage (quadricep), Jarrian Jones (shoulder) and Montaric Brown (chest).
