The Houston Texans have won back-to-back games, and they have played the entire season without Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, but general manager Nick Caserio believes they will know more in the coming weeks.
That is a notable progression from what Caserio previously said, but it still leaves plenty of uncertainty around the two-time Pro Bowler, Mixon.
The former Cincinnati Bengals star is currently on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFL) list.
Texans GM Nick Caserio Provides Update on Joe Mixon
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Detroit Lions.
The Texans acquired Mixon from the Bengals in a trade during the 2024 offseason, and he posted a 1,108-yard, 11-touchdown season in his first campaign with the franchise. However, his status for the remainder of this season still hangs in the balance.
“I think, probably over the next few weeks, we’ll probably have a better idea. He’s making progress. So, I wouldn’t put a particular timetable on it,” Caserio told Texans beat reporters on October 7. “ I think over the next few, three, four weeks, probably get a little more information here. Kind of see how he’s progressing. But taking one day at a time. But I think once we kind of get to that period, probably have a better sense of which way it’s going to go for the duration of the year.”
“The situation is complicated. The initial outlook looked grim, a source told the Chronicle previously, and the Texans have been hoping his foot or ankle would respond to treatment. In a month, Mixon will have missed half the season,” The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander wrote following Caserio’s comments.
“It’s not out of the question he could miss the entire season, though a final determination hasn’t been made yet. Mixon has been in and out of the building throughout the year, a source said.”
Mixon has a history of foot issues, which the Texans must take into consideration.
Joe Mixon’s Status Mired in Mystery
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Baltimore Ravens.
Caserio was less so, but still vague in his previous comments about Mixon, saying the Texans take a “one day at a time” approach with all of their injured players.
“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 in August. “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.”
Mixon saw a podiatrist in September, per Alexander.
The Texans were expected to have further clarity on Mixon, who was eligible to return from the PUP list in Week 5, while head coach DeMeco Ryans remained mum at the end of last month.
“#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans specifically indicated that Joe Mixon is not ready to return at this time,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson posted on X in September. “Per sources, it will be much longer, if at all, for Mixon to get back on the field this season.”
With Mixon sidelined, the Texans have leaned on veteran Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks.
Texans Draw Attention With Telling New Update About Joe Mixon