Updated March 6, 2026, 5:51 p.m. CT

The Joe Mixon era officially has come to an end with the Houston Texans.

The Texans announced on Friday that they have released the Pro Bowl running back after two seasons. Mixon, who was entering the final year of his three-year contract, missed the entire 2025 season with an undisclosed foot injury.

The move will free up over $8 million in cap space, thus bringing the Texans to $36 million in space for the impending free agency period. Houston should be content with running back long-term following the trade of Detroit Lions star David Montgomery earlier this week.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mixon asked for his release on Thursday. A day later, the team granted his request.

The Texans were widely expected to ultimately part ways with Mixon after he failed to report last season. Texans general manager Nick Caserio wouldn’t confirm the move last month at the NFL Scouting Combine, but the writing had been on the wall for months after missing countless checkups.

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“Honestly, it’s day to day,” Caserio told reporters. “Looking at conversations, trying to get a little bit more information. I think he had a surgery here this offseason, in some capacity. So, trying to get some follow-up to that.

“I’m not trying to be evasive. It’s a moving target. So, we’ll kind of see what the availability is gonna be, what the prognosis is for the season and then ultimately try to figure out what makes sense for everybody involved.”

Traded for from the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024, Mixon signed a three-year, $27 million deal once he arrived in Houston, $13 million of which was guaranteed. He proceeded to become the first Texans running back since 2019 to rush for 1,000 yards while earning team captain status and a Pro Bowl nod after totaling 11 touchdowns.

Without Mixon, the Texans relied heavily on the duo of former Cleveland Browns starter Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks. Chubb never regained his footing as an All-Pro talent, but Marks emerged as the primary back and showed flashes of greatness, rushing for over 700 yards and tacking on over 200 more as a receiving threat.

Last season, Houston finished 22nd in the league in rushing yards per game, averaging 108.1 yards per game.

The plan for the Texans now is to turn to Marks and Montgomery for a 1-2 combo in 2026.

The main question mark looming over Mixon’s continued ability to be a difference-maker on the field. No one still knows what exactly happened and what could keep him out for the long haul. Any club interested in targeting Mixon this offseason must feel comfortable enough to sign him while dealing foot injury without worrying about his longevity.

Now, while his time in Houston was impactful in 2024, it’s now officially over.