Those in fantasy football might be starting to panic after thinking they had a steal in the early rounds of the draft with Joe Mixon. After another disappointing performance last week along with an injury, Joe Mixon’s fantasy status for Week 7, and outlook in general, is up in the air.
The situation is forcing managers to start making backup plans. What is the latest information on Mixon’s injury status and fantasy outlook? When do we expect to learn more, and who should managers look to on the waivers in case if they need a fill-in during Mixon’s potential absence?
Update: This article was written and published on October 19th. This morning, October 23rd, ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that Joe Mixon is officially out for Week 7.
Joe Mixon’s fantasy outlook after leaving the game on Sunday with a foot injury
Much like his team, Mixon got off to a hot start on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Early in the game, he carried the ball 11 times for 44 yards and a touchdown. He could have had a second, but he was subbed for RB Giovani Bernard, who punched it in as they took an early lead. From that point on, things went downhill, starting with Mixon’s injury.
Mixon exited the game due to a foot injury, and while he was able to come back, he never looked the same. After being evaluated by team physicians and returning to the game, Mixon rushed seven more times for just ten yards and caught two passes for 15 yards. He was going from 4.4 yards per carry to a woeful 1.5 YPC. Clearly, his foot was bothering him even if he was trying to gut it out. What can this mean for Joe Mixon’s fantasy outlook?
Anytime we hear of a foot injury being listed for a player, it can be worrisome. Combinations range from a simple mid-foot sprain to turf toe, a Jones Fracture, or even a Lisfranc injury. Teams tend to exercise caution when dealing with a foot injury until they know the injury’s full scope. It is positive that Mixon was able to return in their game Sunday. Pain medication is pretty strong, after all.
The Bengals are slated to play AFC North divisional rival Cleveland Browns on Sunday at 1 PM. We expect to hear more information on Mixon’s injury either Monday afternoon or Tuesday when teams publish official injury reports. And of course, as the week goes on, we expect to get more clarification about his status for Week 7.
If Joe Mixon is out for Week 7, who are viable waiver wire fantasy targets?
It starts with RB Giovani Bernard, Mixon’s backup. Currently rostered in only 2.9% of leagues, Bernard will be one of the hottest additions when waivers run this week. Prior to this week, Mixon had been averaging 24.8 opportunities (carries plus targets) per game. Bernard would be likely to soak up a significant portion of those opportunities if Mixon can’t play against the Browns in Week 7.
Another option if Mixon is out is Philadelphia Eagles RB Boston Scott. Miles Sanders left the game early due to a knee injury and didn’t return. Scott is the next man up in the backfield, and while he’ll split work with Corey Clement, he has some flex appeal. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen has reported that Sanders will be out for their Thursday night game against the New York Giants.
Related | Buy Low, Sell High: Week 7 trade targets
If we hear good news on his injury and Joe Mixon is active, you’ll want to start him in fantasy over either of the players I mentioned. Having scored four times in the last three games, he has put up double-digit fantasy point performances in three straight games.
Touchdowns have saved his season so far, but we know the talent he brings to the field each week. Yes, Joe Mixon has seemed to have been a bit of a fantasy disappointment given the expectations but he is still RB9 on the season and averages 16.6 points per game.
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Tommy Garrett is a writer for PFN covering Fantasy Football. You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.