HOUSTON — Texans running back Joe Mixon criticized the NFL on social media for not enforcing its own rules after he injured his ankle in what he saw as an illegal hip-drop tackle during Houston’s 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.

With 11:57 left in the third quarter, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud completed a pass to Mixon, who ran along the sideline before being taken down by Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards in what appeared to be the now-banned swivel hip-drop tackle.

The officials did not penalize Edwards as Mixon limped to his feet and hobbled to the sideline before entering the medical blue tent. He went to the locker room for further treatment on his ankle before returning to the court with 50 seconds left in the third quarter.

Mixon took just seven snaps after his return and had just one carry for 1 yard before being tackled again by Edwards. He finished the night with 9 carries for 25 yards.

Mixon did not speak to reporters after the game, but did express his feelings in two subsequent messages on X.

“The NFL and NFLPA made this a rule and emphasis for a reason,” Mixon wrote shortly after the game. “Time to put your money where your mouth is.”

The NFL and NFLPA have made it a rule and emphasis for a reason. Time to put your money where your mouth is.

— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) September 16, 2024

In a follow-up post, Mixon said that as he stood up, he asked the referee, “Where’s the flag? That was a hip tackle,” to which the referee responded, “No, it wasn’t.”

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the situation where Mixon injured his ankle “didn’t look good” to him, but he needed to see the footage to determine if it was a tackle with a hip throw.

“Joe rolled up. The guy’s weight definitely went on his ankle,” Ryans said. “We’ll be evaluating Joe throughout the week. Hopefully he’s OK.”

The league in March approved a resolution banning the swivel hip-drop tackle, a rugby tackling style that has led to injuries to the lower legs in recent years. According to NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Miller, there were 230 plays last year in which the hip drop was used to take down a ball carrier, resulting in 15 missed times.

The violation would have resulted in a 15-yard penalty if it had been called for Edwards’ tackle on Mixon.

In another game on Sunday, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase got into an altercation with a Kansas City referee after he was taken down by what Chase saw as a tackle involving a hip toss that went uncalled.