Houston Texans Running Back Joe Mixon To Miss Remainder Of 2025 Season
It is the news no Houston Texans fan wanted to hear. The drumbeat of bad news that started as a low murmur in the offseason has now reached a deafening roar. Joe Mixon, the star running back Houston snagged from Cincinnati, is officially being put on ice for the rest of the season.
That’s right. The man who was supposed to be the thunder in the Texans’ backfield has been sidelined by a foot injury that’s proven more stubborn than a mule in a mud pit. Sources close to the team confirmed to ESPN what many had feared: Mixon won’t be taking the field again in 2025. It’s a gut punch for a team with playoff aspirations and for fantasy managers who gambled on his return.
What Happened To Joe Mixon?
The mystery surrounding Mixon’s foot has been the talk of the town. He was a ghost during offseason workouts and training camp, leaving fans and analysts to play a frustrating game of connect-the-dots. The last time we saw a fully healthy Mixon was back in January, battling it out in the divisional-round playoff game against the Chiefs. Since then? Nothing but cryptic updates and sideline sightings.
Texans’ brass has been playing this one close to the chest. GM Nick Caserio described the situation as “very gray,” while Coach DeMeco Ryans, when asked for an update back in October, gave a blunt “I do not.” You have to respect the stonewalling, but it did little to soothe the nerves of a fanbase desperate for some good news.
This whole saga feels like a cruel joke. After a stellar Pro Bowl season in 2024, where he bulldozed his way to over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, Mixon was poised to be the centerpiece of the Texans’ ground attack. Now, he’s just a high-priced spectator.
Houston’s Plan B Without Mixon
Give the Texans’ front office some credit, though. They didn’t just sit on their hands and hope for the best. Seeing the writing on the wall, they made some savvy moves. They brought in four-time Pro Bowler Nick Chubb, a proven workhorse who can handle a heavy load. Then, they drafted the promising Woody Marks, who some are already calling “the perfect running back.”
So far, Chubb and Marks have shouldered the burden, keeping the running game afloat. But let’s be real, the one-two punch of a healthy Mixon and the explosive Marks would have been something special to watch. Instead, the Texans will have to rely on their depth, which includes Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale, to navigate the rest of their schedule.
It’s a tough break for Mixon and a significant hurdle for the Texans. But in the NFL, the mantra is always “next man up.” Houston’s season now depends on how well that next man can fill some very big shoes.
