Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
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Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans carries the ball against the New England Patriots.
Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio cleared the air on a variety of topics ahead of the 2026 scouting combine. Unfortunately for the Texans, further clarity about Joe Mixon’s status was not among the updates.
In fact, there was even more confusion added due to one remark in particular.
Mixon looms as one of the Texans’ biggest question marks heading into the offseason, and his future remains beyond uncertain.
Joe Mixon Situation Takes Ominous Turn
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Baltimore Ravens.
Mixon went from wearing a walking boot during the offseason program to shedding it, but he never received an official update from the Texans beyond their placing him on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list.
Mixon pushed back on the idea that he would miss the entire season, but in fact never set foot on the practice field for the Texans in 2025.
Caserio’s latest update revealed that Mixon might have had surgery.
“We’ve talked to Joe. Honestly, it’s day to day,” Caserio said, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on February 24. “I think he had a surgery this offseason. I’m not trying to be evasive, but it’s a moving target. We’ll see what the prognosis is for the season and try to figure out what ultimately makes sense.”
Caserio’s uncertainty about whether or not Mixon had a surgery underscores how mysterious this situation has been for the two-time Pro Bowler and the Texans, who ranked 22nd in rushing during the regular season.
Joe Mixon Situation Drawing Criticism
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Detroit Lions.
Notably, though, Caserio expressed similar sentiments about Mixon’s situation during a recent radio appearance.
“Honestly, Joe worked really hard to try to get himself ready. I think he’s committed to trying to be able to play football this year. We’ll see if he physically is able to do it or not. So, it’s a little bit of a moving target still,” Caserio said on “Payne & Pendergast” on February 5.
“As we get a little bit closer, we’ll probably have a better idea. Before we get to the season, I’m sure we’ll have an idea–probably know before then–what Joe’s situation is.”
That drew some understandable pushback from Texans Nation.
“In all my decades covering the NFL, including the Oilers and Texans, I’ve never seen a team hide an injury description from fans and media like the Texans have with Joe Mixon,” McClain posted on X on February 5. “They won’t say what the injury is and when he was injured. Local and national media have been unable to uncover this mystery. If Mixon is ever available to the media again, he’ll be grilled in unprecedented fashion.”
Joe Mixon Remains a Cut Candidate
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
Mixon was already viewed as a cut candidate entering the final year of his three-year, $19.7 million contract with the Texans.
Houston could use the breathing room.
“There was perhaps no bigger injury mystery in the 2025 season than Mixon, who missed the entire season with what general manager Nick Caserio recently called a ‘freak’ foot issue,” USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote on February 19. “The two-time Pro Bowler’s outlook remains murky, with the team still seeking intel on his recovery.
“The move for Houston should be adding a more dynamic ball carrier either in free agency or the draft. The former option becomes easier if the team cuts Mixon and recoups $8 million in cap space.”
Mixon’s uncertain status will only add fuel to that speculation, amid the Texans’ other needs on their roster.