Red Flag Raised About Texans RB Joe Mixon After Critical Decision

The Houston Texans should be on “high” alert regarding the health of two-time Pro Bowler and starting running back Joe Mixon, according to CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan.

Mixon was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, and his status for the regular season remains uncertain. The Texans have options to replace him in the short term, but they acquired the former Cincinnati Bengals star in a trade in 2024 for a reason.

Sullivan rated Mixon’s status as “high” on his “panic meter.”

“The Texans running back is expected to miss extensive time due to a foot injury. Joe Mixon suffered the injury while working out this offseason and missed the offseason program because of it,” Sullivan wrote on July 30. “The Texans plan to re-evaluate the veteran running back closer to the regular season to determine his availability. That indicates that Mixon is slated to miss the preseason and is very much at risk of not being ready for when Houston takes on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 on Sept. 7.”

Mixon, 29, rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first season with the Texans, adding another 309 yards and 1 TD on 36 receptions.

Mixon is also beginning a two-year, $19.7 million extension with the Texans in 2025.

Texans RB Joe Mixon Facing Lengthy Absence

Mixon was spotted in a walking boot back in May, which prompted KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson to report on the apparent lack of concern by the team.

“My understanding is it’s nothing serious with Joe. It may cause him to miss a little bit of time in the spring, but it’s nothing alarming. I think he’ll be ready for training camp, maybe ready sooner than that. But right now, yeah, I don’t think he’ll be doing any practices. And so, it’s something, but it’s not anything real big,” Wilson reported in May.

“That happens sometimes. Don’t know the nature, exact nature of whatever he’s dealing with. Was told authoritatively, he’s been in a walking boot, which is sometimes just for protective reasons. So, yeah, I don’t think there’s anything real alarming on Joe Mixon. But we’ll see.”

Just over one month later, however, Mixon did not return to action.

Moreover, the Texans’ decision to place him on the PUP list is an indication they do not expect him back anytime soon.

“#Texans RB Joe Mixon, who is on the non-football injury list, is expected to be out an extended period of time with a frustrating foot injury, sources say,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on July 26. “The Pro Bowler coming off a 1,000-yard season will be reevaluated closer to the season to determine his availability.”

Texans Must Use Nick Chubb Wisely

The Texans signed Nick Chubb in free agency to complement Mixon, and the former Cleveland Browns star has taken starter’s reps in training camp. However, the Texans must be cautious with Chubb, who has an extensive injury history.

Chubb said he is over the injuries that plagued him in recent years, though.

“I feel good,” Chubb told reporters in June. “I would say that’s all behind me, and injuries happen. And with what I did, [it] takes about two years to really get back. And so, I’m over the hump. I’m back home. I was back home all offseason, training where I trained every year since I was in high school, and I was able to get a full year in of doing the things that I do best. So, now I’m feeling good as I have been in a long time.”

Still, the Texans planned for Chubb to work behind Mixon, so the sooner the latter returns, the better. Until Mixon returns, youngsters Dameon Pierce and rookie fourth-round pick Woody Marks should see a significant workload in the preseason.