Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was added to the injury report early this week due to a chest injury, leaving fantasy football managers worried that one of the last remaining premium assets at the RB position would be a doubt for Week 9.
Mixon is currently listed as questionable heading into Sunday Night Football with this chest injury.
Is he going to play tonight against the Buffalo Bills? And, if he does, what is his fantasy outlook for this week? Let’s get up to speed with all the latest information we have on Mixon.
Editor’s Note: Joe Mixon is active for the Bengals Week 9 Sunday Night Football game.
Is Joe Mixon Going To Play Week 9?
Mixon went on the injury report early this week with a chest injury. He was limited in practice on Wednesday, but he managed to practice in full on both Thursday and Friday.
Therefore, while there hasn’t been an official update on Mixon’s health at the time of writing, I would fully expect Mixon to suit up and play in full capacity versus the Bills on Sunday Night Football.
With fantasy managers expecting Mixon to play Sunday night, what is his fantasy outlook likely to be for the Bengals against the Bills?
What Is Mixon’s Potential Fantasy Outlook for Tonight?
Mixon is coming into this week as the RB22 in fantasy football this season. However, like the rest of the Bengals’ offense, he struggled offensively prior to their bye in Week 7.
Mixon is coming off his best game of the season last week. He managed 110 scrimmage yards and looked really explosive against the San Francisco 49ers. He also played on 76% of the snaps and received all three RB touches inside the 10-yard line.
This matchup against the Bills is one that can be exploited by Mixon and the Bengals’ offense. According to the FantasyPoints Data Suite and data provided by FantasyPros, the Bills are allowing 4.81 yards per carry to running backs. This ranks them as the third-worst team in the NFL in terms of yards per carry allowed to running backs entering Week 9.
Buffalo also ranks dead last in rushing yards after contact allowed. Mixon, meanwhile, currently ranks 10th amongst all running backs in yards after contact earned so far this season. So this looks like a particular mismatch on paper.
MORE: Fantasy Football RB Week 9 Trade Targets
The Bills are also conceding 20.2 fantasy points per game to running backs, which ranks them 12th in the NFL. Therefore, Mixon does have the matchup to exploit and potentially have a big week. According to our PFN Consensus Rankings, Mixon is currently ranked as the RB14 for Week 9. Personally, I think his upside is much greater than that.
Fantasy managers could see a potential RB1 outing out of Mixon this week. If he really gets going, and the Bengals can get and stay ahead of the Bills, then Mixon could not only be on for his biggest week of the season so far but potentially a matchup-winning week for fantasy managers.
Therefore, all fantasy managers should start Mixon this week. Start him with the utmost confidence that he can deliver on a surprisingly good matchup this week.
I have Mixon as one of my buy-low RB targets in fantasy leagues approaching trade deadlines. Mixon is looking better by the week, as are the Bengals. If he has a big game versus the Bills, that buy-now window will shrink, and potentially for good.
Therefore, buy low on Mixon today because there really might not be another chance tomorrow to grab him if he performs as I expect versus Buffalo.
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