{"id":731931,"date":"2026-02-05T20:53:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T20:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/731931\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T20:53:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T20:53:19","slug":"texans-joe-mixon-gets-harsh-reality-check-after-bold-statement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/731931\/","title":{"rendered":"Texans\u2019 Joe Mixon Gets Harsh Reality Check After Bold Statement"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Joe\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.<\/p>\n

Houston Texans<\/a> running back Joe Mixon<\/a> has been adamant that he will return to the field to make an impact again. However, the franchise is less certain about that after the soon-to-be 30-year-old missed the entire 2025 season with a mysterious injury.<\/p>\n

The Texans have made no bones about what having Mixon would have meant to the team this past season, in which they finished 22nd in rushing yards.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Texans general manager Nick Caserio<\/a> has remained pragmatic.<\/p>\n

Texans Deliver Reality Check About Joe Mixon\"Joe<\/p>\n

GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Caserio joined \u201cPayne & Pendergast\u201d on Thursday, and the Texans GM did not waver from his previous messaging about Mixon: his future\u2013not just with the team, but in the NFL\u2013remains in question.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re, at some point, probably going to see Joe for an evaluation to kind of see where he is. I know I got asked about it a lot,\u201d Caserio said<\/a> on the show on February 5. \u201cHonestly, Joe worked really hard to try to get himself ready. I think he\u2019s committed to trying to be able to play football this year. We\u2019ll see if he physically is able to do it or not. So, it\u2019s a little bit of a moving target still.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we get a little bit closer, we\u2019ll probably have a better idea. Before we get to the season, I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll have an idea\u2013probably know before then\u2013what Joe\u2019s situation is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caserio\u2019s previous remarks underscored the uncertainty around Mixon\u2019s situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a very unique situation. I don\u2019t think anybody really had any clarity, honestly, from the start of the year until now,\u201d Caserio said<\/a> in January, adding that Mixon had pushed himself to return but was simply unable.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably have an opportunity to kind of see where he is in the offseason, relative to next year. But again, it was very it was as unique a situation, an injury, as I\u2019ve been associated with. And it\u2019s just, I don\u2019t want to call it a \u2018freak thing,\u2019 but it\u2019s just kind of a freak thing. And Joe worked really hard, put his best foot forward. It just\u2013it didn\u2019t work out.\u201d<\/p>\n

That has left the Texans and Mixon facing a cold reality that the two-time Pro Bowler may have already played his final down<\/a> for the franchise, if not in the NFL<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Joe Mixon Makes Bold Claim\"Joe<\/p>\n

GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans is introduced before facing the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.<\/p>\n

Mixon drew attention with his recent remarks, shared via the Texans\u2019 star\u2019s Instagram story, which vowed \u201cvengeance\u201d next season. The Houston Chronicle\u2019s Jonathan M. Alexander called the comment a \u201cwelcomed sight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alexander called Mixon \u201cone of the NFL\u2019s most fearsome runners.\u201d<\/p>\n

He is also an adept pass-catcher, posting more than 300 receiving yards in four straight seasons from 2021 through 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn apparently rare medical condition<\/a> he learned about in the spring, which caused Mixon to miss the 2025 season, has Texans decision-makers questioning whether he\u2019ll actually be able to return next season,\u201d The Houston Chronicle\u2019s Jonathan M. Alexander wrote<\/a> in January.<\/p>\n

Mixon is entering the final season of a three-year, $19.7 million contract<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, there is no more guaranteed money on the deal, so the Texans could choose to part ways with Mixon this offseason if their looming check-in is not encouraging enough.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJosh Buckhalter<\/a> 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<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Texans\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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