Demeco Ryans Reveals Texans Shift After Mixon Absence

Houston Texans' head coach Demeco Ryans sheds light on the puzzling absence of Joe Mixon, highlighting a strategic shift with the acquisition of David Montgomery.

In the ever-dramatic world of the NFL, the 2025 season brought a particularly puzzling story out of Houston. Joe Mixon, the talented running back for the Texans, was sidelined for the entire season due to a mysterious lower body injury.

The specifics of Mixon's condition have remained under wraps, leaving fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. The whispers around the league suggest it might have been a serious foot issue, possibly necrosis, reminiscent of Antonio Brown's infamous 2019 ordeal.

However, without official confirmation, these remain just rumors.

Despite the uncertainty, the Texans made a decisive move by releasing Mixon in the offseason. This decision paved the way for the acquisition of David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions.

Montgomery, known for his hard-nosed running style, is set to bring a new dynamic to Houston’s backfield. Head Coach Demeco Ryans expressed his admiration for Mixon, acknowledging his contributions and energy.

Yet, Ryans is optimistic about Montgomery’s impact, praising his ability to maximize yardage beyond what’s blocked.

Montgomery, who shared the backfield duties with Jahmyr Gibbs for three seasons, now has the chance to shine as the Texans' feature back. This opportunity is well-deserved, and expectations are high for his performance in Houston.

As for Mixon, while there's no official update on his recovery, the hope is that he’s on the mend and might return to the field when he’s ready. The NFL is full of comeback stories, and perhaps Mixon’s will be one of them.