The Houston Texans continue to navigate the season without one of their key offensive weapons. Joe Mixon has been sidelined with an injury that has kept him off the field for an extended period. Will fantasy football managers see their star running back return to action anytime soon?
Joe Mixon Injury Update
Mixon’s situation has remained unchanged for months, with no significant progress reported by the organization. The running back has been on the reserve/non-football injury list since July and has now missed the entire offseason program, preseason schedule, and 10 weeks of regular season action. His injury, which reportedly involves both his foot and ankle region, occurred during private offseason training sessions conducted away from Houston’s facility.
General manager Nick Caserio recently described Mixon’s injury as a ‘tough, complicated situation’ and confirmed there remains no timetable for his return. During the team’s bye week, Caserio stated they will not establish a specific timeline on Mixon’s recovery, saying they will ‘take it one day at a time’. While he suggested that the team might have ‘more clarity in the next month,’ there have been no signs of tangible progress behind the scenes.
The most troubling aspect of Mixon’s status is Caserio’s admission that the veteran’s availability for the remainder of the year is ‘in limbo’. The fact that Houston has yet to provide any concrete date for when Mixon may return to practice suggests he still has substantial recovery work ahead of him.
According to reports from Aaron Wilson, sources describe Mixon’s injury as particularly complex, with uncertainty remaining about whether the veteran running back will take the field at all this season. This assessment aligns with injury analysis suggesting the current issue represents an aggravation of prior ankle problems rather than a completely new injury.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans has made worrying statements that seemed to discuss Mixon in past tense, declaring ‘We’re rolling with the guys that are here’ and referencing what Mixon ‘brought to the team’. These comments continue to raise questions about his potential return, suggesting the coaching staff has mentally moved forward from expecting his contribution this year.
With Week 10 now here, Mixon has officially missed more than half of the fantasy football regular season. There is absolutely no indication he is close to returning to practice, let alone game action. The expectation remains that Mixon will not play at all in 2025.
Mixon Fantasy Outlook
With Mixon sidelined indefinitely, the Texans have employed a two-man committee featuring Nick Chubb and Woody Marks. Chubb received the initial opportunity at the lead back role, but Marks has significantly outperformed him over recent weeks.
Caserio praised Chubb’s efficiency during recent interviews, noting he is ‘a very efficient runner’ with ‘good vision’ and ‘good balance,’ while adding there ‘haven’t been a lot of negative runs with him on the field’.
The former Cleveland Browns standout is heavily game script dependent. When the Texans hold leads, Chubb receives more volume and has opportunities to produce for fantasy managers. When the Texans trail, Marks outsnaps and out-touches the veteran considerably.
Marks has displayed flashes of potential and offers more upside in PPR formats due to his pass-catching ability. The rookie has shown versatility as both a runner and receiver, making him an appealing complement to Chubb’s more traditional running style.
Should Mixon eventually return to full health, he would theoretically resume his workhorse role given his substantial contract extension signed prior to the season. However, that possibility becomes increasingly unrealistic with each passing week of silence from the organization.
Fantasy managers who drafted Mixon with high expectations should maintain zero hope that he will contribute fantasy value in 2025. His absence has become a season-long reality rather than a temporary setback.