Mixon’s Injury Keeps Bengals’ Week 1 Return in Question, Possible Four-Game PUP
Cincinnati — Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon has not practiced since the foot or ankle injury he suffered off the field this past offseason, and there remains no clear timetable for his return. While there’s no strong indication he’ll miss the entire season, team observers and insiders are cautious about a Week 1 return.
If Mixon is designated to the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, he would be required to sit out the Bengals’ first four games. His absence from practice and no appearance in drills off to the side suggest he isn’t two to three weeks away from returning, though there has been no official timetable communicated by the team.
The situation leaves Cincinnati’s backfield in a wait-and-see mode to open the season. The Bengals would likely lean on their depth behind Mixon if he misses early games, with the offense still built around a potent passing attack and a ground game that would be spread among backup backs.
Fantasy managers should monitor practice participation and any official injury designations in the coming weeks. If Mixon misses time, the distribution of touches among the Bengals’ backfield could shift, potentially increasing opportunities for backups or change-of-pace backs early in the season.
What to watch next:
– Practice status and any medical updates on Mixon’s recovery.
– Whether he lands on the PUP list or is activated before Week 1.
– How the Bengals structure the backfield in his absence and which players step up.
Overall, the Bengals remain hopeful Mixon can return to action sooner rather than later, but the current trajectory keeps Week 1 in doubt and underscores the team’s need for a contingency plan at running back. If he returns within the early part of the season, Cincinnati’s offense could quickly regain its established balance between run and pass.
Summary: Joe Mixon’s recovery from a recent foot/ankle issue continues to be watched closely. The lack of practice activity points toward a cautious return timeline, with a possible PUP designation that could sideline him for four games, impacting both the Bengals’ game plan and fantasy projections.