Texans GM Explains Why Joe Mixon Missed 2025 Season with Injury amid NFL Rumors

Veteran running back Joe Mixon didn't play a single game for the Houston Texans in 2025 due to a leg injury, and there isn't much clarity regarding his status going forward.

When asked about Mixon's season-long absence on Wednesday, Texans general manager Nick Caserio told reporters (via Kristie Rieken of the Associated Press):

"It wasn't like he was riding a snowmobile or anything like that," Caserio said. "It was more of a medical condition or situation that never .. really didn't improve maybe as much as everybody would have hoped. I'm not trying to evade the question, that's the reality of the situation. He didn't jump off a building. He wasn't cliff diving or anything. He wasn't doing anything irresponsible. It was just a freak thing."

He added:

"We haven't seen Joe in a little bit, so I think at some point we'll see him and then we'll be able to evaluate kind of where he is and then based on information, we'll see where his status is."

The Texans acquired Mixon from the Cincinnati Bengals before the 2024 season and signed him to a three-year, $27 million contract extension through the 2026 campaign. The deal immediately paid off for Houston, as Mixon racked up 1,016 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games on his way to earning his second career Pro Bowl selection.

In Mixon's absence this season, the Texans were forced to use a committee approach to the running back position. 2025 fourth-round pick Woody Marks led the team with 703 rushing yards, while veteran ball-carrier Nick Chubb added 506 yards. The team ranked 22nd in the NFL with 108.9 rushing yards per game and scored just nine total rushing touchdowns, which tied for the second-lowest mark in the league.

Houston's season came to an end with a disappointing 28-16 loss to the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The Texans totaled just 48 rushing yards in the game, and star quarterback C.J. Stroud threw four interceptions while trying to carry the offense.

▶️ Full Texans-Patriots Recap

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After the loss, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans acknowledged that Mixon's absence had a major impact on the team's performance.

"When you have your best players, you're going to be a better team," Ryans said, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC in Houston. "Joe, he's 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."

Mixon's $8 million salary for 2026 is not guaranteed, so the Texans could move on from him this offseason if his injury woes persist. Ryans admitted that the 29-year-old's status for the 2026 season remains up in the air.

"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."