Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon has yet to play in 2025, and there is increasing speculation that he may not take the field at all during the campaign.
Mixon, acquired during the 2024 offseason in a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals, was supposed to pair with fellow Pro Bowler Nick Chubb this season. Instead, the Texans have been left to follow an alternative plan, perhaps for the long haul.
Amid all of this, the Texans have largely remained quiet about the exact nature of Mixon’s injury.
New Report Casts Doubt About Texans’ Joe Mixon in 2025
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Mixon, 29, rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first season with the Texans. He added another 309 yards and 1 TD on 36 receptions.
The Texans’ offense missed his dual-threat presence to begin this season.
“#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans specifically indicated that Joe Mixon is not ready to return at this time,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson posted on X on September 29. “Per sources, it will be much longer, if at all, for Mixon to get back on the field this season.”
After initially being spotted in a walking boot during the offseason, the Texans placed Mixon on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list in August.
They moved him to Reserve/Non-Football Injury status later in the month.
DeMeco Ryans Maintains Position on Joe Mixon
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ryans fielded two questions about Mixon’s status amid the Texans’ other injuries. He answered both times by addressing the latter amid the potential return of veteran defensive lineman Denico Autry and safety Jaylen Reed.
“At this point in time with the PUP guys, anticipate us opening a window for Autry and for Jay Reed,” Ryans told reporters on September 29.
Ryans previously defended Mixon’s right to privacy about the injury.
Autry is a 12th-year veteran who is in his second season with the Texans.
Reed was a sixth-round pick by the Texans in the 2025 draft. He will rejoin a Texans secondary that cut Super Bowl champion C.J. Gardner-Johnson and is still awaiting the return of Jimmie Ward from injury. Still, Mixon is the big story among the Texans’ injuries.
Asked if Mixon is “not close,” Ryans said, “Yeah, for the PUP guys that are returning, it’ll be Autry and Jay Reed.”
Woody Marks Take Advantage of Joe Mixon Injury
GettyWoody Marks #27 of the Houston Texans celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
With Mixon sidelined and Chubb lacking the explosiveness he once had, the Texans turned to rookie fourth-round selection Woody Marks. Marks responded with 119 yards from scrimmage and 2 touchdowns on 19 touches in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans.
Ryans was effusive with praise for Marks on Monday.
He said he “really liked” Marks’ productivity at both of his college stops at Mississippi State and USC. He also noted the youngster was seizing his opportunities.
“Guys don’t change, right? He’s done it in college, and he’s doing it here on this level as well,” Ryans said. “You saw it on tape at Mississippi State, at USC. You saw what he was capable of doing, and I’m just proud of him for just stepping in. And he’s getting more opportunities, and he’s really taking advantage of those opportunities and making the plays to really impact our team.”
Marks’ opportunities could continue to increase if the Texans are as far from getting Mixon back as Ryans’ comments – or lack thereof – and Wilson’s report suggest.
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