Joe Mixon’s Status for 2026 Season Uncertain
Joe Mixon, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and received Pro Bowl honors for the second time, has been placed on non-football injured reserve ahead of the 2025 season. This designation applies for both the regular and postseason.
On Wednesday, Texans general manager Nick Caserio provided an update on Mixon’s condition as he deals with an “unusual” foot injury. “We haven’t seen Joe in quite some time. I think we’ll probably see him eventually, which will help us assess where he is,” Caserio noted, emphasizing that further information will dictate Mixon’s status.
Last year, during training camp, the Texans revealed that Mixon had sustained a foot injury outside the team’s facility. Throughout the season, the organization kept details about his recovery under wraps.
Caserio shared some insights on Wednesday but avoided disclosing specifics about the injury, saying, “I didn’t see him riding a snowmobile or anything that wild. The medical situation just hasn’t improved as much as everyone hoped.” Further clarifying, he added, “It was just one of those unusual occurrences.”
This season, without Mixon, the Texans’ offense has noticeably struggled. However, it’s worth noting that he still has one year left on a three-year, $27 million contract extension he signed after moving from the Cincinnati Bengals.
Caserio expressed uncertainty regarding Mixon’s return for the upcoming season, stating, “Honestly, it’s been a very unique situation. No one really has a clear understanding of where things stand. Joe has worked hard to get back, but it just hasn’t happened yet.”
With Mixon sidelined, the Texans turned to rookie Woody Marks and veteran Nick Chubb to fill the gap. Marks, a fourth-round draft pick, led the team with 703 rushing yards, while Chubb contributed another 506.
When asked if he thought Mixon might be ready for training camp, Caserio replied, “It’s still too early to tell. We’ll just have to wait and see. I’m not a doctor, so I’ll leave it to the medical team. Once we have more clarity, we’ll know where we stand.”
