During the Texans' victory over the Bears, Joe Mixon was tackled by T.J. Edwards using what was later confirmed by Texans coach DeMeco Ryans as a hip-drop tackle. This technique, which involves a defender dropping his hips to bring down the player, was banned by the NFL due to its propensity to cause severe lower leg injuries. Despite the ban, no penalty was called on the play, which led to Mixon's early exit from the game to receive medical attention. Mixon later expressed his frustration on social media, urging the NFL to enforce its rules more stringently.

The non-call on the hip-drop tackle has sparked discussions about the effectiveness of the NFL's officiating and its impact on player safety. The league had introduced the ban to prevent injuries associated with this tackling technique, which had been identified as causing significantly more lower body injuries compared to other tackles. However, the incident involving Mixon suggests that enforcement is inconsistent, raising concerns among players and coaches about the commitment to player safety. This has led to calls for better training for officials and possibly revisiting the rule's clarity and enforceability in real-time game scenarios.

Joe Mixon's injury has not only affected the Texans' on-field strategies but also the fantasy football landscape. Fantasy managers are advised to hold onto Mixon unless he is ruled out for an extended period, given his potential impact upon return. In his absence, Cam Akers is expected to carry a heavier load, making him a top waiver wire target. This situation underscores the broader implications of such injuries on team dynamics and individual player performances in fantasy sports.