HOUSTON – The status of injured Texans Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon hasn’t been definitively determined, even though the probably direction is fairly obvious.
Several league sources have reiterated that Mixon’s foot-ankle issue is ‘tough and complicated," and they have expressed doubt that he will play at all this season after getting nonsurgical procedures this offseason. One source said that the team isn’t counting on any contribution from Mixon this year.
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Texans general manager Nick Caserio was noncommittal on if Mixon will return this season during a bye week press conference. Mixon remains on the non-football injury list. Clarity on Mixon’s status could come in the next month or so, per Caserio.
“I think probably over the next few weeks we’ll probably have a better idea,” Caserio said. “He’s making progress. I wouldn’t put a particular timetable on it. I think over the next three, four weeks probably get a little more information here, kind of see how he’s progressing.
“We’re taking it one day at a time. I think once we kind of get to that period, probably have a better sense of which way he’s going to go for the duration of the year.”
#Texans GM Nick Caserio on Joe Mixon status still in limbo for 'duration of season' didn't say if he will return or not @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/e9CA1JA88L
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 7, 2025
'Over next three, four weeks, see how that goes over the duration,' #Texans GM Nick Caserio on Joe Mixon. He was noncommittal on if he'll play this season. Sources have consistently called it a 'tough, complicated situation' and expressed doubt that he will play this year…
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 7, 2025
The Texans are leaning on four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks in the backfield.
They rank 16th in rushing offense.
Previously, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans had a similar stance on Mixon’s status with no definitive update. Mixon, acquired in a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals last year, rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns last season for the Texans as he was named to the Pro Bowl.
Mixon was in a walking boot in the spring and his injury prompted the Texans to sign Chubb. Mixon later was in a lace-up brace with some improved mobility over the summer.
He has sought outside medical help, including nonsurgical procedures with a Tampa podiatrist who specializes in electromagnetic therapy to break up scar tissue, to try to speed up the healing process in what has been a lengthy rehab with no true end in sight.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and clik2houston.com