The Houston Texans ' ground game has slowed to a crawl since it's dominant Week 1 performance against Chicago. Houston will likely have to survive without its lead running back again in a highly anticipated Week 5 matchup.

Having Mixon back would have benefitted the Texans against one of the league’s worst run defenses. Buffalo enters NRG Stadium allowing a league-leading 5.7 yards per run. In Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Bills allowed 271 rushing yards and 8.0 yards per run, 199 of which came from Derrick Henry.

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon is expected to miss a third consecutive game with an ankle injury, a person with knowledge of his status said. The Texans later ruled Mixon out in their injury report on Friday.