Texans’ Joe Mixon misses second practice in a row, Laremy Tunsil returns to practice, Tank Dell practices

HOUSTON – Texans Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon remained out of practice for the second day in a row due to a sprained ankle that has sidelined him for two consecutive games.

His status is in question for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills and Cam Akers is preparing to be RB1 for the third consecutive game.

Akers has rushed for 106 yards on 29 carries, an average of 3.7 yards per run. Mixon has rushed for 184 yards on 39 carries, a 4.7 average per run. He gained a season-high 159 yards with one touchdown on a career-high 30 carries against the Indianapolis Colts in a season-opening win. And Dare Ogunbowale caught four passes for 47 yards and the game-winning touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Mixon practiced last Friday on a limited basis and was then held out of Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars as a game-time decision. His status is regarded as week to week, per league sources.

“Really everyone that has been up in the air has been working and they are doing everything they can to get back and we will see where that goes,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “That is really all the way across the board. As far as Cam and Dare, I thought they ran pretty well. With what we were given, there were a couple of plays in there that I know if they could have back in some one-on-one opportunities in space they would like to capitalize on that a little more.

“At the critical moments, they made the big plays. Cam had a big run where he was able to cut back and bounce all the way outside and make a couple people miss. Dare, in the pass game, catches some checkdowns and doing what he felt he wanted to do in the run game on some of those. So, we are close, it is something that we are continuing to emphasize, continuing to strain. We definitely took a step in the right direction this last game and we have to keep getting better.”

Backup running back Dameon Pierce, also out the past two games with a strained hamstring, didn’t practice during the portion open to reporters and wasn’t present.

Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, held out of Wednesday’s practice with a sprained ankle he dealt with against Jacksonville, briefly leaving the game and then finishing the game without further incident, returned to practice. That was expected.

Wide receiver Tank Dell has practiced the past two days, his first work since badly bruising his ribs against the Vikings when he landed on the football and missed the Jaguars game the following week.

Dell caught a season-high five passes for 62 yards on six targets in the Texans’ 34-7 loss to the Vikings.

Dell caught 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games as a rookie last season before he broke his fibula.

“I am very excited to have Tank back,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. “I definitely missed him last week, Tank is a big-time player for us so we missed him. To get him back is huge for our offense and what we are able to do so I am excited to see Tank back out there today.”

SEE ALSO Texans’ Tank Dell managing bruised ribs, unlikely to play against Jaguars; Joe Mixon sidelined, Jimmie Ward injured

Texans safety Jimmie Ward returned to practice from a groin injury that sidelined him against the Jaguars with rookie Calen Bullock starting in his place. He was limited.

Both Dell and Ward were moving well in their first practice.

“Jimmie, him being out there, his versatility to help our defense is going to be big for us,” Ryans said.

Not practicing Thursday: defensive end Derek Barnett (shoulder), offensive tackle Blake Fisher (illness), linebacker Jake Hansen (back), defensive end Jerry Hughes (hip) and wide receiver Robert Woods (hip).

Defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (calf) and defensive end Dylan Horton (illness) participated fully again.

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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 click2houston.com.