Texans' Joe Mixon: In line to return Sunday

Mixon (ankle) remains listed as questionable but is expected to play in Sunday's game against New England, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The veteran running back hasn't played since Week 2, when he suffered an ankle sprain against the Bears. However, after turning in a pair of limited practices Thursday and Friday, Mixon looks to be trending toward a return to the lineup Sunday, though his workload could be monitored more carefully than usual. Backfield mate Dameon Pierce (hamstring) has also been cleared to play Sunday following a four-game absence, so Cam Akers -- who had been getting a healthy workload while Mixon was out -- will likely slide back to a limited role as the No. 2 or 3 option on the depth chart.