NFL news: Texans’ executive sheds light on Joe Mixon’s mysterious foot injury
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After rushing for 1,016 yards and earning Pro Bowl honors for the second time in his career in 2024, Joe Mixon went on the non-football injury list before the start of 2025. The roster designation did not change throughout the regular season or postseason.
On Wednesday, Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio addressed Mixon’s status for the 2026 season, saying the running back continues to practice through a “freak” foot injury.
“We haven’t seen Joe in a long time, so I think at some point we’ll see him and then we’ll be able to evaluate where he’s at and then we’ll see where his condition is based on the information,” Caserio said.
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Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) is shown with the ball in the first quarter on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
During last year’s training camp, the Texans announced that Mixon had suffered a foot injury away from the facility in the offseason. The team has been largely silent on the details of the running back’s recovery throughout the season.
Caserio issued a partial statement on Wednesday, stopping short of disclosing the injury.
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“It wasn’t like he was riding a snowmobile or anything like that,” Caserio said. “It was more of a medical condition or situation… he really didn’t get as good as everyone had hoped. I’m not trying to dodge the question, that’s the reality of the situation. He didn’t jump off a building. He didn’t dive off a cliff or anything. He wasn’t doing anything irresponsible. It was just something weird.”
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) throws a touchdown pass during the third quarter of an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium on December 1, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)
The Texans reached the divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the third straight season, but five turnovers against the New England Patriots ultimately ended Houston’s hopes of advancing to the AFC Championship.
The Texans’ offense took a noticeable hit with Mixon out for the entire season because Injury. Mixon has one year left on the three-year, $27 million contract extension he signed after joining the Texans following seven years with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) passes Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) for a touchdown in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
Caserio said they weren’t sure about his status throughout the season, but they were hopeful he could return at some point.
“It was a very unique situation,” he said. “Honestly, I don’t think anyone has any clear information from the beginning of the year until now. I would say Joe has worked very, very hard to get himself ready to play football, but it’s never really come to fruition, it’s come to fruition. So there’s an opportunity to see where he’s at in the offseason, probably relative to next year.”
With Mixon opted out this season, the Texans relied on rookie Woody Marks and veteran running back Nick Chubb. Marks, a fourth-round pick, led the team in rushing with 703 yards and Chubb added 506 yards.
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When asked specifically if they believe Mixon’s condition will improve enough for him to be ready for training camp, Caserio said it’s too early to tell.
“We’ll see. Trust me, I’m not smart enough to be a doctor, so I’ll leave that to the medical professionals,” he said. “Once we get a little more clarity, more information, we’ll see where we are.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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