Report: Bengals' Joe Mixon 'Trending Toward Playing' vs. Packers Despite Ankle Injury

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon is reportedly on track to play in Sunday's Week 5 game against the Green Bay Packers despite an ankle injury.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Good Morning Football (via NFL.com's Michael Baca) that Mixon is "trending toward playing 'in some capacity'" after going through a workout Saturday morning.

The 25-year-old University of Oklahoma product exited the team's Week 4 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars with the injury. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Bengals' leading rusher had "a low-grade ankle sprain."

Mixon was listed as questionable to face Green Bay after sitting out practice from Wednesday through Friday.

"He's in good spirits. We'll give him an extra day to see where he's at and then meet and make a decision," head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Friday. "We'll see how he feels. He's a big presence in what we do. We'll give him some treatment and see what he does."

The California native is off to a solid start to the 2021 campaign with 382 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. He has a strong 81.4 grade at Pro Football Focus.

Mixon was limited to six appearances last year because of a foot injury. He'd previously played 44 of a possible 48 games across his first three seasons.

Samaje Perine would be elevated to the starting role if the three-down workhorse misses time.

Perine has averaged 3.8 yards per carry across 48 games with the Bengals, Washington Football Team and Miami Dolphins. He's handled just nine carries in four contests this season.

Rookie Chris Evans would slide into the backup spot, and Trayveon Williams could be activated from the practice squad for additional depth.

That said, it sounds like Mixon will be active against the Packers, though he might not get as many touches as he does when at full strength.