Mixon remains on the Texans’ non-football injury list with an unclear return timetable, making him a risky bench stash in most leagues. In shallow formats, the call is to cut ahead of Week 6 rather than hold an uncertain asset.

The waiver landscape highlights Jalen Coker and Christian Watson for possible late-season debuts, while Jaydon Blue and Kyle Monangai sit behind healthier backs but offer immediate upside behind Dallas and Chicago's offenses.

Other viable waiver options include Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal, Michael Carter and Rico Dowdle, all with clearer paths or workloads. In Week 6, prioritize players with defined touches over Mixon's speculative return.

Chuba Hubbard will miss a second straight game with a calf injury, paving the way for Rico Dowdle to start against his former team, the Cowboys. Dowdle erupted for 206 rushing yards last week and will carry the load as Carolina also plays without Moton, Wharton and Evans. Jalen Coker is questionable and could be activated, adding the potential for pass-game involvement. Carolina faces Dallas with lineup volatility that could boost Dowdle’s fantasy upside if he secures early-down and goal-line work.

From a fantasy lens, Dowdle’s workload is the key driver here. If he handles most of the backfield duties, he’s a solid flex with upside in a game that could script into a favorable carry-heavy environment. Carolina’s injury page adds risk, but Dowdle’s burst and opportunity window give him a legitimate path to fantasy relevance against Dallas.