INDIANAPOLIS – The medical and contractual situations involving injured Texans veteran running back Joe Mixon remain unresolved.
Mixon missed the entire season with a mysterious foot injury. The former Pro Bowl selection and team captain recently underwent surgery this offseason, according to general manager Nick Caserio.
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Caserio acknowledged there is no clarity involving Mixon’s future with the AFC South franchise, adding that there have been conversations with Mixon and his longtime agent, Peter Schaffer.
The Texans are widely expected to ultimately part ways with Mixon via a failed physical, per league sources, and releasing him from his three-year, $27 million contract and would save $8.5 million in the process.
“Honestly, it’s day to day,” Caserio said at the NFL scouting combine. “Looking conversations, trying to get a little bit more information. I think he had a surgery here, this season in some capacity. So trying to get some follow-up to that.
“I’ve said this multiple times, 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.”
Meanwhile, Texans are expected to explore the high-end running back market that includes Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl MVP selection Kenneth Walker III, Jacksonville Jaguars veteran runner Travis Etienne Jr. and Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle, per league sources.
New York Jets running back Breece Hall, whom the Texans made a brief inquiry about at the NFL trade deadline, is expected to be designated as a franchise player, if the team is unable to work out a long-term extension, per general manager Darren Mougey.
The Dallas Cowboys signed running back Javonte Williams to a three-year, $24 million contract that included $16 million to keep him off the free agent market.
Mixon’s 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, Caserio previously cleared up some of the heavy and unsubstantiated speculation surrounding Mixon.
“He didn’t do anything off the field,” Caserio said. “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.
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.
When did the team realize that Mixokn could miss a significant amount of time?
Caserio indicated last spring, which is when Chubb was signed.
“I don’t think we knew the extent of how long it was gonna be,” Caserio said. “It was touch and go. I’m not trying to create any problems. It was just a moving target. So, we were just trying to figure out, ‘Where are we in the scheme of things, and what do we gotta do moving forward?”
Chubb is a free agent not expected to return. The team returns leading rusher Woody Marks, a fourth-round draft pick who won the starting job as the replacement for Chubb. Jawhar Jordan is under contract. Dare Ogunbowale, a key special-teams contributor, is a free agent.
“Nick’s a free agent, so we got three guys under contract right now,” Caserio said. “We got Woody coming back. He had a good year, he’s a leading rusher, so I think that’s pretty good. I mean, we only got three guys that are on the team currently. We’re probably gonna have more than three players on the team.
“So, where does that player come from? Free agency could be one mechanism, draft could be another mechanism. Is there a trade market for somebody out there? So, that’s kind of where we are for today.”
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.
Chubb was signed to replace Mixon. However, Chubb didn’t regain his old form from his time with the Cleveland Browns.
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 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.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com