Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
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Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Houston Texans have released running back Joe Mixon after two seasons with the team. Mixon rushed for just over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns for Houston in 2024, but a lingering foot injury kept him out for the entirety of the 2025 season.
The exact nature and severity of the injury was a mystery to the public for the whole season, despite rumors that he would return to the field in 2025.
The release of Mixon saves the Texans his $8 million salary against their cap for the 2026 season. According to Schefter, Mixon had requested to be released on Thursday, March 5 and was granted that on Friday, March 6.
Mixon will now enter the free agent class as a highly sought after talent despite missing all of last season. Though he may have lost some value on the market, his talent and body of work speaks for itself; assuming full health, he should still be capable of being a top 10 RB in the NFL.