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Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Baltimore Ravens.
There has been little to no information given about Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon, who missed the entire 2025 season due to a foot and/or ankle injury, leading to rampant speculation that has continued into the offseason.
Mixon, a team captain in 2024, has not exactly been unseen. He has posted on social media in support of the Texans, current and past.
However, he has not publicly addressed his injury or his future with the Texans.
Texans Face Daunting Joe Mixon Reality
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Detroit Lions.
The Texans acquired Mixon in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2024 offseason, and his dual-threat capability proved invaluable to Houston.
Similarly, the Texans felt Mixon’s absence from the field this past season.
They ranked 22nd in rushing yards in the regular season without him after they were 15th in 2024 with him. The question is whether Mixon will be with the Texans in any capacity after the 2026 offseason.
“It’s easy to see Houston moving on here,” Fox Sports’ Greg Auman wrote on February 17. “The Texans ranked 29th in yards per carry without him, but they’ll have to upgrade elsewhere. Mixon made the Pro Bowl with the Texans in 2024, rushing for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns, but his age and injury uncertainty will make for a limited market for him. Could he follow Bobby Slowik to the Dolphins for depth and a healthy reset there?”
NFL.com’s Matt Okada framed Mixon as an “aging and expensive” back who “may not be worth keeping,” noting his $8 million salary in 2026, the final year of a three-year, $19.7 million pact.
Okada called the 2025 season “extremely strange” due to Mixon’s “mysterious” injury.
“It was an unfortunate development considering Mixon’s recent dominance — only Derrick Henry had more yards and touchdowns than Mixon from 2021 through 2024 — and Houston’s need for a functional run game,” Okada wrote on February 16.
“Cutting (or trading) Mixon in free agency would net $8 million in cap savings for a team currently in the red and perhaps allow it to invest into a largely lackluster offensive line instead.”
Okada’s final point is a strong one for the Texans as they plan to revamp their roster.
Running Game Not Only Issue Texans Face
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Texans missed Mixon, who has earned $55.4 million in his career. However, they found valuable production elsewhere, and they suffered the same postseason fate in either instance.
As Auman noted, the Texans need upgrades elsewhere on their roster beyond Mixon or at RB.
“The team fell short in the Divisional Round against the Patriots, with Woody Marks and Nick Chubb combining for just 31 yards on 18 carries,” Okada wrote. “Ironically, they also fell short in the 2024 Divisional Round with Mixon logging 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.”
The right side of the Texans’ starting offensive line–guard Ed Ingram and tackle Trent Brown–are free agents, while they could also use an upgrade at center and left guard.
The latter depends on how they view one of the few stalwarts, Tytus Howard.
Even if the Texans move on from Mixon and bolster their roster with another option–like Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, or a draft prospect–they must also invest in their offensive line to help whoever is running the ball and quarterback C.J. Stroud better next season.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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