The Houston Texans played the entire 2025 season without running back Joe Mixon, and it doesn't appear that the team has a clear answer regarding his potential return.
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Speaking with media members, general manager Nick Caserio said that at some point, the team will see Mixon and evaluate where he is in his recovery from what Caserio called a freak foot injury.
The GM did not provide further details about the injury that surfaced during training camp, one that kept the veteran from suiting up for any games last season. Though he said that Mixon had worked throughout the season in an attempt to return to the lineup. It just did not happen.
"It wasn't like he was riding a snowmobile or anything like that," Caserio said. "It was more of a medical condition or situation that never... really didn't improve maybe as much as everybody would have hoped.
"I'm not trying to evade the question, that's the reality of the situation. He didn't jump off a building. He wasn't cliff diving or anything. He wasn't doing anything irresponsible. It was just a freak thing."
Nick Caserio on Joe Mixon:
“Here’s what I would say. It was a very unique situation. I don’t think anybody really had any clarity from the start of the year until now. Probably have an opportunity to see where he is in the offseason.” pic.twitter.com/kR9VpU7tKF
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) January 21, 2026
Mixon, a former member of the Bengals, joined the Texans on a three-year, $25.5 million deal ahead of the 2024 season. This included $16 million and an average annual salary of $8.5 million.
The veteran back delivered in his first season with the team. He started 14 games and rushed for 1,016 yards. He scored 11 rushing touchdowns and one as a receiver while securing his second Pro Bowl appearance.
The expectation entering 2025 is that he would lead the rushing attack once again, but this foot injury derailed the season. The Texans had to move forward with rookie fourth-round pick Woody Marks and veteran Nick Chubb, who joined the team after recovering from a broken foot.
Marks led the rushing attack with 703 yards and two touchdowns. Chubb posted 506 yards and three touchdowns. Yet, the offense did not have the same ability to move the ball as it did with Mixon leading the way. This became particularly true during a divisional round loss to the Patriots in which the Texans rushed for a mere 48 yards.
The Texans do not know if Mixon will be able to return for the final year of his deal. It is too early to tell, and the team is unlikely to have an answer until deep into the offseason.
"We'll see," Caserio said. "Believe me, I'm not smart enough to be a doctor so I'm going to leave that up to the medical experts. Once we... get a little bit more clarity, more information, we'll kind of see where we are."
