Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
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Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans takes the field before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Houston Texans are non-committal about two-time Pro Bowler and starting running back Joe Mixon playing in 2025.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio met with local media on Wednesday. Reporters asked Caserio to shed some light on the veteran playmaker’s status. Mixon missed training camp and the preseason with a rather nebulous ankle or foot injury.
Caserio offered little relating to Mixon, including assurances about this season.
Texans GM Nick Caserio Non-Committal About Joe Mixon Playing in 2025
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans is introduced before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
“With all the injured players, kind of, take it one day at a time. And so, whatever their timeline is, we kind of handle accordingly. I’d say the players that are on PUP (physically unable to perform) or NFI (non-football injury) [lists], they’re out four games – or four weeks. So, once we get through four weeks, we’ll kind of evaluate at that time,” Caserio told reporters on August 27, before being pressed about Mixon’s availability for the regular season.
“We’ll see. We’ll take it one day at a time, and we’ll evaluate those players after four weeks and kind of see where they are in their progression, and then make a determination.”
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans echoed Caserio, but defended Mixon’s privacy.
According to Caserio, the decision for Mixon to go on the non-football injury list was not his to make. Mixon was initially on the “active” list, but the Texans moved him to “reserve” status at the roster cutdown deadlines on August 26.
“It’s not my call, it’s the league’s call,” Caserio said. “So, you turn the transactions in, and they put the players in categories. So, that’s how it’s handled.”
The Texans announced their 53-man roster on Tuesday.
Mixon was one of several players the Texans placed on one of the many inactive lists. He joined Alijah Huzzie on the Reserve/NFI list, Denico Autry, Kurt Hinish, and Tank Dell (Reserve/PUP), Jimmie Ward (commisioner exempt), and Jaylen Reed (IR/Designated to Return).
Joe Mixon Facing Significant Financial Ramifications
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Detroit Lions.
Mixon, whom the Texans acquired in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024, rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns on 245 carries last season.
He had another 309 yards and 1 TD on 36 receptions. Mixon wore a walking boot early in the Texans’ offseason program. He shed that. However, he has yet to return from an injury that has drawn plenty of attention due to the Texans’ handling of the situation.
Mixon could lose a lot of money. He is on in Year 1 of a two-year, $19.7 million contract.
“For each game Mixon misses, he’ll lose $29,411 in per-game active roster bonuses. And since payment of the player is discretionary, his $7 million base salary (at game checks of $388,888 each) is in jeopardy,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote on August 26. “There’s also a chance that he’s in default as to his signing bonus. The proration for 2025 is $2 million.
“It’s unclear why the approach has been silence. It invites speculation that Mixon may not be back for a while, and that the Texans may not pay him while he’s out.”
CJ Stroud on Texans RB room w/ Joe Mixon injury on @FirstTake:
“Nick looks amazing.. Dameon Pierce is gunna have another great year, this is his type of scheme.. Woody Marks who we got from USC is a baller.” pic.twitter.com/YY9sxHnIVU
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) August 27, 2025
Caserio’s comments will only fuel that speculation, at least regarding Mixon’s return. The Texans have a plethora of options to fill in for him, led by four-time Pro Bowler Nick Chubb. But the Texans were counting on Chubb and Mixon operating in tandem.