Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon’s ailing ankle will sideline him for a third consecutive game on Sunday against the visiting Buffalo Bills.
The Texans (3-1) ruled out Mixon as well as defensive ends Derek Barnett (shoulder) and Jerry Hughes (hip) on Friday for the game against the Bills (3-1).
Mixon, 28, remains Houston’s leading rusher with 184 yards on 39 carries in two starts. He sustained the ankle injury during the Week 2 win against the Chicago Bears.
Hughes, 36, has one tackle in four games. Barnett, 28, has seven tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in four games.
Wide receiver Tank Dell, who missed last Sunday’s victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars because of a chest injury, was a limited participant in practices Wednesday and Thursday. Dell practiced in full on Friday and was not given a designation.
Dell, 24, ranks third on the team with 99 yards on nine receptions. He sustained bruised ribs during the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) was limited at practice Friday after not participating on Wednesday and Thursday, and he is listed as questionable. Pierce, 24, has played in only one game, a Sept. 8 victory at Indianapolis, and has three carries for 16 yards.
Also questionable for Sunday’s game are linebacker Jake Hansen (back), defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (calf), defensive end Dylan Horton (illness), offensive tackle Tytus Howard (hamstring) and wide receiver Robert Woods (foot).
