Texans Facing Uncertain Future with Injured RB Joe Mixon
HOUSTON - As the Texans shift their focus toward the offseason, one of the biggest question marks hanging over the franchise is the status of Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon - and right now, there are far more questions than answers.
Mixon didn’t take a single snap this season, sidelined by what’s been described as a “tough and complicated” foot-ankle injury. He landed on the non-football injury list before the season even began, and from that point on, expectations around the building were tempered. Internally, the belief was that Mixon wouldn’t be back this year - and there’s legitimate concern about whether he’ll be back at all.
This wasn’t how the Texans envisioned things playing out when they traded for Mixon from Cincinnati and handed him a three-year, $27 million deal. He was fresh off a Pro Bowl season, having rushed for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024.
The Texans were banking on him to bring that same power and production to Houston. Instead, they’ve spent the past year adjusting on the fly without one of their most dynamic offensive weapons.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans was asked directly if Mixon would return next season. His answer? “No clarity.”
That sums things up. The team simply doesn’t know what to expect - and with Mixon’s $8 million salary for next season nonguaranteed, the Texans could move on without taking a financial hit. That scenario is increasingly likely, given the uncertainty around Mixon’s health.
Mixon spent the offseason in a walking boot before switching to a lace-up brace as he showed some signs of progress. He pursued multiple non-surgical treatment options, including electromagnetic therapy at a clinic in Florida, in an effort to accelerate his recovery. There were moments of optimism - glimpses of improvement - but nothing that ever brought him close to returning to the field.
The Texans have been tight-lipped about the specifics of his injury, reportedly out of respect for Mixon’s desire for privacy. That silence left room for speculation and rumors, most of which were unfounded. But the reality remains: Mixon never reached a point where playing was even a remote possibility.
In response, Houston made a major move of its own, signing four-time Pro Bowler Nick Chubb to reinforce the backfield. Still, there’s no denying the void Mixon left behind. His physical, tackle-breaking style brought a different dimension to the offense - one that couldn’t be fully replicated.
“When you have your best players, you’re going to be a better team,” Ryans said. “Joe, he’s a really great running back for us and not having him, yes, of course, it affected our running game.
Joe is one of the top running backs in this league. That affected us.”
The Texans now face a critical decision. Do they hold out hope that Mixon can return to form, or do they move forward and retool the backfield entirely? With free agency and the draft approaching, that decision will need to be made sooner rather than later.
For now, the only thing that’s clear is the uncertainty.