Joe Mixon’s first season with the Houston Texans was a successful rise back up the rankings for running back talent. Those around the NFL would also tend to agree.

Mixon appeared at the No. 58 spot on the NFL’s Top 100 rankings for the 2024 season. A bruiser bell cow who altered Houston’s run game for the first time since 2019, the rank was warranted based on his impact on the personnel.

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After spending the first seven years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Mixon was traded to the Texans last offseason ahead of being released for a seventh-round draft pick. Once in Houston, fans speculated if he had anything left in the tank and were confused by Nick Caserio’s aggressiveness to sign him to a three-year, $27 million extension.

In 14 games, Mixon proved that he’s worth much more than that with a balanced approach behind the line of scrimmage. Easily slotting in as the new lead back, he recorded his fifth overall and second consecutive season of 1,000-plus rushing yards.

For the Texans, Mixon’s 1,016 yards marked the first 1,000-yard season for a tailback since Carlos Hyde in 2019. His 11 touchdowns were the most for a running back since Arian Foster in 2012.

Earning his first Pro Bowl nod since 2021, Mixon was the undisputed bellcow for the Texans’ ground game throughout the 2024 season, recording almost 3.5 times more yards than the next closest teammate. He also made contributions in the passing game, totaling 36 catches for 309 yards and another score, helping Houston secure its second straight AFC South division title.

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Right now, Mixon is expected to be out for an extended period with a lingering foot injury.  He was placed on the NFI list to begin the year, but expecations are for him now to remain away from football activites until the end of training camp.

Once Mixon returns, he’s expected to remain the lead back in Houston, although his rep share could decrease while splitting carries with former All-Pro Nick Chubb. The hope for the Texans is that the healthy duo will be enough to secure the team’s first AFC title appearance and perhaps a trip out west to the Super Bowl this winter.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans Pro Bowl RB Joe Mixon makes the cut in NFL’s top 100 players list