HOUSTON – Texans veteran running back Joe Mixon and his mysterious non-football foot injury have been the subject of several bizarre and untrue rumors.
While there is still no clarity on a potential return, which is regarded as extremely unlikely, per sources, with many casting doubt on his future, Texans general manager Nick Caserio cleared up some of the heavy and unsubstantiated speculation surrounding Mixon.
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“He didn’t do anything off the field,” Caserio said Wednesday during a season-ending press conference at NRG Stadium. “It wasn’t like he was riding a snowmobile or anything like that. I would say it was more of a medical condition or situation that didn’t really improve as much as everyone would hope.”
“I’m not trying to evade the question, I think that’s the reality of the situation. He didn’t jump off a building, he wasn’t cliff diving or anything like that. He wasn’t doing anything irresponsible. It was a freak, thing. Honestly I’ve never seen it, it’s just the condition.”
Mixon was in a walking boot in the spring and his injury prompted the Texans to sign four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb. Mixon later was in a lace-up brace with some improved mobility over the summer. He has sought outside medical help, including nonsurgical procedures, including electromagnetic therapy at a Florida clinic to try to speed up the healing process. Mixon would get better at times, prompting optimism. Another source said that Mixon hasn’t gotten the proper amount of blood flow for the foot to fully heal and it has been a step forward, step back medical situation.
Mixon missed the entire season on the non-football injury list, as KPRC 2 reported he would in October due to a ‘tough and complicated’ foot-ankle injury, per league sources. During the season, a source emphasized the team wasn’t expecting Mixon to return at any point and that his career is in doubt.
The injury never healed to the point where Mixon was close to returning, though. The Texans didn’t provide much, if any, detail on his status. Sources say that was because they are honoring Mixon’s wishes for privacy.
Will Mixon play for the Texans again? Although he was paid $7 million this past season despite missing the entire year with a non-football injury that could have voided his contract, the Texans can move on financially from Mixon this offseason and shed his nonguaranteed $8 million salary for 2026.
“It’s honestly hard to answer that right now because we haven’t seen him in a little bit,” Caserio said. “At some point we’ll see him, maybe do some follow-up examinations and get more information. Once we have more information, I think we’ll be able to have a better assessment.”
Without Mixon, a Pro Bowl selection and team captain two seasons ago as he rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns, the Texans’ running game struggled.
Four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb was signed to replace Mixon. However, Chubb didn’t regain his old form from his time with the Cleveland Browns.
Rookie running back Woody Marks emerged as the primary back and showed flashes. He had one of two 100-yard games for the Texans’ offense, rushing for 112 yards and a touchdown in a playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jawhar Jordan rushed for 101 yards against the Arizona Cardinals.
In the 28-16 AFC divisional round loss last Sunday to the New England Patriots, the running game was stonewalled. They rushed for 48 yards on 22 runs. Marks was held to 17 yards on 14 carries and lost a key fumble.
The Texans were 1 for 4 in the red zone, which was a constant issue for a 13-6 squad.
The Texans are expected to look for help for their backfield this off-season. They inquired about pending New York Jets free agent running back Breece Hall at the NFL trade deadline, but no deal materialized.
Without Mixon, the running game missed his dynamic, tackle-breaking presence.
“When you have your best players, you’re going to be a better team,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Joe, he was a really great running back for us and not having him, yes, of course, it affected our running game. Joe is one of the top running backs in this league. That affected us.”
The Texans are widely expected to ultimately move on from Mixon due to his health issues.
“As of right now, I don’t know that answer right now,” Ryans said when asked if Mixon will return for next season. “No clarity.”
The Texans are leaned on rookie running back Woody Marks without Mixon and got contributions from Nick Chubb.
In 2024, Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns as he was named to the Pro Bowl.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com