After an 0-3 start, the Houston Texans are in need of reinforcements. Texans fans are understandably hoping that Joe Mixon can return soon, particularly after the star running back rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 309 receiving yards and a score through the air in 2024. When can the Texans expect to get Mixon back in their lineup? Is it possible that he will miss the entire season?
What’s the Latest on Joe Mixon’s Injury?
When it comes to Mixon, the only thing that’s certain is that he will miss the season’s first four games since he started the season on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list. The soonest that Mixon can return is in Week 5 when the Texans head to Baltimore.
How did Mixon get hurt? Nobody outside the organization seems to know for sure. The star running back suffered a non-football-related injury during the offseason, which sidelined him for all of the team’s training camp and preseason. While the specific details surrounding the incident remain private, the injury is confirmed to be related to Mixon’s ankle.
While Mixon is eligible to return in Week 5, there is a growing concern that Mixon may miss all or most of the 2025 NFL season. Recently, Texans general manager Nick Caserio was asked if Mixon would suit up at all during the 2025 NFL season, and he was noncommittal.
“We’ll see. We’ll take it one day at a time,” Caserio said, according to ESPN. “We’ll evaluate those players after four weeks and see where they are in their progression and then make a determination.”
Throw in the fact that Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was recently speaking about Mixon’s contributions in the past tense, and there are some concerning red flags for the 29-year-old.
“We miss Joe, miss his energy and enthusiasm and everything he brought to our team,” Ryans said. “We continue to press forward and hope he’s doing well.”
With Mixon out, the Texans’ leading rusher has been offseason addition Nick Chubb, who has rushed 34 times for 141 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and one touchdown. Rookie Woody Marks has also gotten some snaps and his role could increase as the season progresses if Mixon isn’t able to play. Dameon Pierce has surprisingly been a healthy inactive even with Mixon sidelined.
Mixon entered the 2025 season coming off an outstanding debut campaign with Houston. In his first year with the Texans, he rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns on 245 carries while adding 36 catches for 309 yards and another score. He led the team in total touchdowns during the regular season (12) and playoffs (two), establishing himself as the offense’s backbone.
Fantasy managers who drafted Mixon don’t have to burn a roster spot as he remains IR eligible, but will have to sit on him for an indeterminate amount of time. The uncertainty surrounding his injury makes him a massive risk despite the potential league-winning upside if he returns healthy. It is still possible, if not likely, that he doesn’t play in 2025.