The Houston Texans shared a disappointing update about running back Joe Mixon. Find out when the two-time Pro Bowler will return to the field.
Joe Mixon Will Miss The Beginning Of The 2025 Season
An update on RB Joe Mixon. pic.twitter.com/nUSc8DSNl5
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 25, 2025
The Texans will be without Mixon to start the 2025 season.
The team announced that they will move Mixon from the Active/Non-Football Injury list to the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list. This means that Mixon will miss at least four games to start the season.
Texans’ Schedule
- Week 1: at Los Angeles Rams
- Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 3: at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 4: Tennessee Titans
Mixon can start practicing after the Texans play the Titans. The earliest the veteran running back could play is Week 5 at the Baltimore Ravens.
Mixon’s health has been one of the biggest open secrets in the NFL. The 29-year-old injured his ankle this offseason and missed OTAs and minicamp.
Mixon has not practiced with the team without any restrictions since the week leading up to the Texans’ Divisional Round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
After spending his first seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Mixon was traded to the Texans during the 2024 offseason.
Mixon thrived in Houston, rushing for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games. The versatile back also added 36 receptions for 309 yards and one touchdown. For his 2024 season, Mixon was named to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career.
Who Will Replace Joe Mixon?
I asked Texans HC DeMeco Ryans about his faith in RB Nick Chubb as an every down back:
"He looks better and better each week. Especially when we got the pads on, he has the explosion and speed to make plays in this league. I am very impressed with Chubb." pic.twitter.com/rJ3mNlXPks
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelV) August 25, 2025
With Mixon out for at least the first four weeks, who will the Texans turn to in the backfield?
For now, Houston might employ a running back by committee approach.
Former Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is one of the candidates to replace Mixon’s production. Chubb is a former All-Pro who rushed for at least 996 yards in his first five seasons.
A devastating knee injury derailed Chubb’s 2023 and 2024 seasons. Now, Chubb will look for a shot at redemption in Houston.
Rookie Woody Marks should be in line to receive some carries. The fourth-round draft pick rushed for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns at USC last year.
Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale will be in the mix, too.
