Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon has been placed on the non-football injury list and is expected to miss significant time due to a lingering foot injury. While the exact timeline is still unclear, the Texans plan to re-evaluate his condition closer to the start of the regular season, which begins September 7 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Mixon, who turned 29 on July 24, had a strong 2024 season with Houston, rushing for 1,016 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns in 14 starts, earning his second career Pro Bowl selection. Over his NFL career, he has totaled 7,428 rushing yards and 60 touchdowns across 111 games with both the Bengals and Texans.
In response to Mixon’s injury, the Texans have bolstered their backfield depth. They signed veteran Nick Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler coming off a broken foot and knee injury, and drafted USC standout Woody Marks. Additional contributors include Dare Ogunbowale, while Dameon Pierce remains on the physically unable to perform list.
The foot injury reportedly occurred during offseason personal workouts rather than team activities, which is why Mixon was placed on the non-football injury list. This designation could affect the guarantees in his $7 million salary, particularly the $4 million currently marked as guaranteed.
Summary at a Glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Injury | Lingering foot issue suffered during offseason, not in team drills |
| Current Status | Placed on non-football injury (NFI) list at training camp start |
| Recovery Timeline | Extended absence expected; re-evaluation scheduled closer to Week 1 |
| 2024 Production | 1,016 rushing yards, 11 TDs, second-career Pro Bowl |
| Texans Depth Plans | Nick Chubb signed, Woody Marks added via draft, Pierce & Ogunbowale available |
| Financial Notes | Mixon’s $7M base salary includes $4M guaranteed; NFI status may affect guarantee |
What’s Next?
Mixon is expected to miss most of training camp and likely the entire preseason, as the Texans take a cautious approach. His availability for the September 7 season opener remains in question and will depend on his progress by late August or early September.
In his absence, Nick Chubb is expected to lead the backfield. The Texans will also look to Woody Marks and Dare Ogunbowale to contribute, depending on their training camp performance and readiness.
