The Bengals are "optimistic" that Bengals RB Joe Mixon (ankle) will be able to play against the 49ers today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Both Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter suggest that a final decision on Mixon's status won't be made until he goes through pre-game warmups. We'll get Cincinnati's inactives by noon ET. If active, Mixon will be a risk/reward fantasy play at less than 100%.

Bengals RB Joe Mixon dominated backfield work in Sunday's win over the Ravens but managed just-OK fantasy production. He garnered 13 of the team's 14 RB carries, gaining 59 yards (4.5 per rush). Mixon also claimed 5 of the 7 RB targets, catching 4 for 36 yards (9.0 per catch). Mixon has yet to find the end zone for a Cincinnati offense that has underperformed in two straight games. But Mixon's role makes him a weekly starter for most fantasy lineups. He gets a winnable matchup with the Rams in Week 3 before a tough rushing spot at Tennessee in Week 4. The status of QB Joe Burrow's calf -- which he tweaked against Baltimore -- could affect the whole offense.

Bengals RB Joe Mixon recorded 13 attempts for 56 rushing yards in Week 1’s loss to the Browns. He also added 3 catches on 5 targets for 17 receiving yards as a receiver. The Bengals’ offense as a whole experienced a hard time getting anything going in the crummy Cleveland weather. Fortunately, there’s some hope to hold onto moving forward. Mixon dominated the RB workload, receiving 13 of the team’s 15 carries (86.6%). No other Bengals’ back saw more than 2 attempts. Managers looking ahead to Week 2’s matchup vs. the Ravens can feel good about the workhorse-like share from Mixon.

A judge has ruled Bengals RB Joe Mixon not guilty of aggravated menacing charges that stemmed from a road-rage incident, according to multiple reports. That can only be good for Mixon's chances to avoid league suspension. He still faces a civil suit related to an offseason shooting that occurred on his property. We have no way of knowing how -- or if -- that might affect Mixon under the personal-conduct policy. We'll keep watching the situation. But Mixon's spot in our 2023 fantasy football rankings assumes no NFL suspension.

Bengals RB Joe Mixon has a lingering legal case that might still produce NFL discipline. He has an Aug. 14 court date on aggravated menacing charges stemming from the March 6 shooting incident at his home. Mixon was cleared of any further charges there but has been sued by the minor who was shot at by the boyfriend of Mixon's sister. We'd assume that lawsuit wouldn't motivate NFL discipline against Mixon. But the NFL's personal-conduct policy doesn't require any certain level of legal action to trigger suspensions. We'll certainly keep watching the whole situation but aren't currently factoring it into Mixon's spot in the fantasy football rankings.

The Bengals and RB Joe Mixon have agreed to a restructured contract that will keep him with the team through 2023. There have been rumors all off-season of Cincinnati dumping Mixon’s big contract, but the restructure saves the team cap space. It also locks him in as the continued backfield leader and a value in fantasy football drafts. Mixon has sat high in our fantasy football rankings the whole time.