Is Joe Mixon playing tonight vs Panthers in Week 9?

Joe Mixon has been one of the more versatile running backs since being selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2017 NFL Draft. He's currently in his sixth season in the NFL and has three campaigns of at least 1,000 yards rushing. In the 2021 season, he rushed for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns.

This season, the Bengals star has been a bit more limited due to the offense passing it more. We'll see if he can get the running game going against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9.

The former Oklahoma running back has been healthy this season and will start in the backfield versus the Panthers. So far this season, he's rushed for 432 yards and two touchdowns on 129 carries.

The Bengals running back has been utilized in their passing game, catching 34 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. He's currently tied for second on the team in catches with wide receiver Tee Higgins.

Joe Mixon's fantasy football update and predictions

Atlanta Falcons v Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Mixon has been a mixed bag in fantasy football this season. So far, he's scored just 82.6 fantasy points this season, including 5.9 points versus the Cleveland Browns in Week 8. His highest scoring game came against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7. He recorded 15.1 points after rushing for 58 yards and a touchdown.

In Week 9, Mixon will face a Panthers team that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. The Panthers have allowed 156.3 points versus running backs thus far. Opponents have also run the ball against the Panthers 189 times, the fourth-highest total this campaign.

The Bengals could ease the load for quarterback Joe Burrow and stay on the ground. Expect Mixon to get his share of carries and even be a factor in the passing game. He could get around 17 carries for 67 yards and possibly a touchdown either in the air or on the ground. The running back should pick up at least 13 fantasy points in Week 9.

Joe Mixon's alternative picks for your fantasy team

Should one not have the Bengals running back on their roster, there are two alternatives that'll shine this week.

#1 - Travis Etienne Jr.

The Jacksonville Jaguars running back has been on a bit of a roll over the last four weeks in fantasy. He's scored at least 10 or more fantasy points over the last four games, including 22.2 points versus the Denver Broncos in Week 8.

This week, Etienne Jr. faces a Las Vegas Raiders defense that allows the ninth-most fantasy points per game this season. The Raiders allow 19.4 a game in fantasy football to running backs.

#2 - Austin Ekeler

The Los Angeles Chargers star will face the Falcons in Week 9. The Falcons have allowed seven rushing touchdowns, tied for the fifth-most in the NFL. Ekeler has scored 20 or more fantasy points in three of his last four games.

In Week 7 versus the Seattle Seahawks, he scored 24.7 points for fantasy owners. He could score 20 or more points in four of his last five games.

Running backs that might not be rostered or easy to trade for include:

• Darrell Henderson
• Tyler Allgeier
• Deon Jackson (Jonathan Taylor is injured and Jackson is expected to start)
• Isiah Pacheco
• Michael Carter
• James Robinson
• Brian Robinson
• Antonio Gibson
• Dontrell Hilliard
• Khalil Herbert