The Houston Texans have undoubtedly missed Pro Bowler and starting running back Joe Mixon. However, they can rest assured that the veteran and former Cincinnati Bengals star remains fully bought in to the team.
Mixon is on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list with an undisclosed foot issue.
The Texans have offered little in terms of updates about his status, adding even more intrigue around the RB’s future.
Texans RB Joe Mixon Sends Message Amid Ongoing Injury Absence
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans on the field before facing the Green Bay Packers.
Mixon is in his second season with the Texans, who acquired him from the Bengals in a trade during the 2024 offseason. Despite his absence from the team on the field, Mixon has attended at least one game, and he still feels like part of the group.
He certainly paid attention to the Texans’ comeback win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10. Moreover, Mixon had a clear message for anyone who jumped off the Texans’ bandwagon.
“IF THEY AINT WITH HOUSTON!!!!” Mixon posted on X on November 9.
The Texans rallied with 26 unanswered points in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars, earning a 36-29 victory. Notably, the Texans tallied their third-highest team rushing total of the season in Week 10, without Mixon or starting quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Mixon, who is signed through 2026 on a two-year, $19.7 million contract, but his injury has cast serious doubts about his future with the Texans beyond this season.
Joe Mixon’s Absence Fueling Speculation Over Future
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander fielded a question from a fan in a recent mailbag article that questioned what was happening with Mixon. He shot down the idea that “Mixon isn’t happy” or that his injury was the result of reckless behavior.
Alexander viewed the lack of clarity from Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio, Mixon’s absence, and the lack of rumored updates as ominous signs.
There has been nothing to suggest Mixon is on any track to return this season.
“All of those things would lead me to believe that Mixon has a very serious injury to either his foot or ankle,” Alexander wrote in October. “One league source I spoke to a month ago had doubts about whether he’ll return this season. And those doubts have not changed. There was a glimmer of hope that his foot would respond to treatment and change the prognosis.
“Of all the people I’ve spoken with about this, there is no one who has told me they expect him to return this season. And if he was, someone would tell me.”
Texans’ Backfield Sees Significant Shift
With Mixon sidelined, the Texans have turned to four-time Pro Bowler Nick Chubb and rookie fourth-round draft pick Woody Marks in their backfield. Chubb was given the first crack at replacing Mixon. Marks is the more dynamic option at this point in their respective careers.
In Week 10, the Texans gave the starting nod to Marks for the first time.
Moreover, he led the Texans’ backfield in carries, yards, and snap share, pacing the group with 80% of the offensive reps to 13% for Chubb, per Pro Football Reference.
It remains unclear if game flow had anything to do with how the final numbers shook out. Still, the decision to start Marks over Chubb is significant. It could also mark the biggest change for the Texans’ backfield after the trade deadline. That is, short of Mixon making an unexpected return.
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