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Should I drop Joe Mixon for fantasy football Week 9? Is Joe Mixon a safe player to cut? Read the fantasy football waivers outlook.
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (foot) has yet to take the field this season and has yet to make any significant progress. With the full Week 9 slate just hours away, should managers consider stashing Mixon on their bench?
There are several high-upside stash options that could carry more long-term value than Mixon may hold.
Should managers look to pivot to an alternative stash option ahead of Week 9? Let's dive in!
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Should I Drop Joe Mixon in Fantasy Football?
Yes. Managers in any standard 12-team format should look to drop Mixon ahead of the Week 9 slate. Early this week, the Texans stated they did not have a definitive update on Mixon and that his timeline remains unclear. Earlier in October, the team's general manager, Nick Caserio, noted that his overall status for the remainder of the season remains "in limbo."
While Mixon could still return late in the season, his fantasy stock continues to drop rapidly.
While managers in deep 14+ team leagues with multiple IR spots can still sit, they have Mixon on their injury reserve. He is trending in the wrong direction and appears to be facing a significant challenge to return late in the regular season.
While he remains out, rookie Woody Marks and veteran Nick Chubb should continue to lead the Houston backfield.
No Timetable for Joe Mixon's Return https://t.co/Hib7RlCrYy
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 20, 2025
Who Should I Pickup for Fantasy Football?
Given Mixon's status, managers should instead pivot to alternative high-end stash options ahead of Week 9. When looking at running backs, managers should look to stash high-end handcuff RB2s like Jaydon Blue, DJ Giddens, Tank Bigsby, or Dylan Sampson. Both Bigsby and Sampson saw their respective starters suffer an injury in Week 8 and could be in danger of missing their next game.
Blue and Giddens are also pure handcuffs, but could see a prominent role in their backfield if Javonte Williams or Jonathan Taylor were to miss time. Managers in shallower formats should pivot to running backs like Isaiah Davis or Samaje Perine. While both are still the RB2 on their depth chart, they are beginning to see an increase in their standalone upside.
For wide receivers, managers should cut Mixon in favor of emerging players like Jalen Coker, Christian Watson, or Chimere Dike. Coker and Watson both opened the season on the IR but recently added their season bets and will continue to see their snap share increase.
Dike has been able to emerge as Cam Ward's go-to option with Calvin Ridley (hamstring) sidelined. With Ridley slated to miss another game in Week 9, Dike could firmly claim the lead role in this offense.
Chimere Dike Ascending as Go-to Option for Tennessee https://t.co/chrZSUtXhj
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 29, 2025
Who Should I Pickup Tool
Trying to decide who to pickup off the waiver wire instead? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool here:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
Who Should I Pickup? Looking for a replacement? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like Kareem Hunt, Kyle Monangai, Trey Benson, Woody Marks, Bam Knight. But not to worry, we are here to help make these waiver wire decisions and build winning teams in 2025. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups in 2025. Our free Who Should I Pickup? tool will help make your fantasy football waiver wire decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to pickup... all free! Make the right decisions.
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Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player name. In the second box, search for the second player name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy football rankings, projections, and more.
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Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Looking for a replacement? Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for Kareem Hunt, Kyle Monangai, Trey Benson, Woody Marks, Bam Knight:
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