Joe Mixon: Everything you need to know

The Texans released Mixon (foot) on Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. This move was always coming after Houston traded for David Montgomery earlier in the week. Mixon missed the entirety of the 2025 season recovering from some sort of foot injury that neither the team nor player has discussed much through the media. It's unclear what kind of timeline Mixon is looking at in his recovery and return to the field. The move saves the Texans $8 million in cap space. Mixon will turn 30 years old in July and has lacked big-play ability in recent years. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has 7,428 career rushing yards and 60 touchdowns. His days of being an every-down back are likely over.

According to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, the signs point to a potential break between Mixon (who is recovering from a foot injury that sidelined him this past season) and the Texans. That's a notion echoed by Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, who indicates that the Texans are expected to ultimately part ways with the running back -- who reportedly recently underwent surgery to address his foot issue -- via a failed physical. For his part, GM Nick Caserio describes Mixon's status with the team as "a moving target," while adding "we'll kind of see what the availability is going to be, what the prognosis is for the season and then ultimately try to figure out what makes sense for everybody involved." Per Wilson, releasing Mixon from his contract would save the Texans $8.5 million.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that Mixon (foot/ankle) had surgery this offseason, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Mixon missed the entire 2025 season due to a foot/ankle injury that Caserio said in January was a "freak thing" and "as unique a situation" as he has dealt with, and though he has one year left on his contract, his status with the team for 2026 remains uncertain. Caserio also said in January that the Texans' medical staff will need to evaluate Mixon before determining whether the veteran running back will be able to play next season. The news of Mixon undergoing a new offseason procedure seemingly adds a further wrinkle to that evaluation, though Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports that the team would like to have Mixon back. Across 14 regular-season appearances with Houston in 2024, Mixon rushed 245 times for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding a 36-309-1 line through the air.