Joe Mixon’s time in Houston is over. The Texans released the two-time Pro Bowl running back on Friday, according to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Mixon had requested his release, and the team cut him with a non-football injury designation.
Mixon, 29, leaves after two seasons in Houston that could not have been more different. In 2024, he was outstanding as the team’s featured back, rushing for 1,016 yards, adding 309 receiving yards and scoring 12 total touchdowns. He topped 100 rushing yards in seven of his first nine games and continued his strong play into the postseason, scoring in each of Houston’s playoff games including a 100-yard effort in the Wild Card Round.
The 2025 season was a completely different story. Mixon was placed on the non-football injury list at the start of training camp due to a foot issue, and he never returned. Without him, the Texans leaned on Woody Marks and Nick Chubb in the backfield, with Houston’s running backs combining for just six rushing touchdowns and the team’s ground game finishing 22nd in the league.
The Texans moved on this week by trading for Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery, which effectively sealed Mixon’s fate.
Mixon enters free agency with an impressive track record. He ranks seventh among active players with 7,428 rushing yards and his 60 rushing touchdowns are tied for eighth all-time among active players. He is also a threat in the passing game with 2,448 career receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns.
The key question for any interested team will be whether the foot injury that cost him an entire season is fully behind him.
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