Joe Mixon has some good news for Bengals fans this Wednesday. Apparently, the running back is already walking and is confident in his return happening depends on how well he feels.

Mixon went on to tell reporters that he feels great. This is great news considering the Bengals just waived the injured running back Tra Carson, who was expected to backup Giovani Bernard this week.

Of course, Bernard is already filling in for Mixon. Mixon was injured during Thursday night’s game against the Ravens, but he was good enough to return to the game to help seal the win for Cincinnati.

It is awesome that Mixon already thinks he feels good enough to run, but it could be even better that doctors are smart enough to hold him back from pushing it. There is no doubt that he is extremely important to the Bengals’ offense, but if missing him for two weeks while he gets as close to 100 percent as possible means Cincinnati will have him available for most of the season, then that is the best course of action.

The alternative being he pushes himself too hard too soon and he ends up aggravating something, and as a result, Cincinnati will miss him for even longer.

Mixon’s spirit and work ethic is exactly what you want from your starting running back, though. It is clear that Mixon could possibly end up being the leader of this team eventually, and him wanting to get out there as soon as possible after his first surgery is a great way to show your teammates that you are here for them.

Of course, Mixon’s presence on the field will be missed. He has 179 rushing yards, six receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown on the season so far. He has looked unstoppable at times on the field, and that is really scary is he has been a few shoestring tackles away from some big gains.

The way Mixon is talking, though, it seems like the team will only have to rely on Bernard for a game or two rather than up to four weeks like the original timetable that was established.

Hopefully, Mixon is back out there soon to keep his breakout season going strong.