Joe Mixon injury status: Should fantasy managers be concerned about Texans RB for Week 16 Fantasy Football?

Running back Joe Mixon is one of the biggest reasons the Houston Texans have qualified for the playoffs for the second straight season with three games to spare.

Mixon has missed three games due to injury, but he has amassed 100 yards or more in more than half of his outings for Houston this season. The veteran RB had another scare when he left Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins with a low-body injury.

Mixon was able to play again soon after leaving the game, indicating that the injury was not too severe. But since he's one of the team's most vital players, Texans supporters and fantasy managers will keep a careful eye on his condition this week.

Additionally, head coach DeMeco Ryans indicated following the game that the star RB would not need to miss any more time due to the injury that forced him off the field at a point, so fantasy managers have nothing to worry about concerning Mixon.

After beating the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, the Texans secured the AFC South. The team may lighten Mixon's workload during the last three weeks of the season now that they have secured the divisional title and postseason football.

The Texans need Mixon to be fit for the playoffs to have a strong postseason run.

Joe Mixon injury status: What happened to the Texans' RB?

Joe Mixon was hurt after he was brought down by a Miami Dolphins defender late in the first half of Sunday's game. He stayed on the field, received treatment from the trainers and then left the field on his own.

After leaving the field, Mixon went to the bench, which was encouraging. Another encouraging indication that his injury is not serious is the fact that he was able to return for the Texans' subsequent drive.

According to multiple reports, Mixon's injury versus Miami was caused by a hip-drop tackle, which has been banned in the NFL due to several injuries.

When it comes to flagging hip-drop tackles this season, the NFL has been inconsistent. Mixon was also on the receiving end of that type of tackle against the Chicago Bears in Week 2, which made him sit out three games.

Following that Week 2 game, the former Cincinnati Bengals running back criticized the NFL, NFLPA and officiating staff on social media. According to reports, he asked the referee why the tackle wasn't called a hip-drop tackle during that game, and the official informed him that it wasn't.