The Houston Texans did not anticipate starting the season 0-2. Despite entering Monday Night Football as the favorites, some late-game magic by QB Baker Mayfield led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory. Undoubtedly, DeMeco Ryans and Co. miss RB Joe Mixon, who found great success in 2024. After being placed on the PUP list, what’s the latest on his status?
Joe Mixon’s Return From Injury Remains Undecided
When it comes to Mixon, the only thing that’s for sure is that he will miss the season’s first four games. Upon being placed on the PUP list, Houston guaranteed their lead-back would be out for the season’s first quarter. Mixon can return in Week 5 when the team heads to Baltimore.
Roughly three weeks ago, ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime reported, “Texans general manager Nick Caserio declined to answer in the affirmative when asked Wednesday whether Mixon will suit up this season.”
DeMeco Ryans used past tense when talking about Joe Mixon ☹️
“Everything he brought to our team”
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) September 12, 2025
Less than one week ago, fans heavily speculated Mixon’s future after Ryans referred to Mixon in the past tense: “We miss Joe, miss his energy and enthusiasm and everything he brought to our team. We continue to press forward and hope he’s doing well.”
There are plenty of reasons why Ryans said that the way he did. In no way did he confirm that Mixon won’t be playing in 2025, though the lack of updates has fans concerned. Ryans’ statement was a simple way to express how things are different now that Mixon isn’t around.
As it stands, the Texans’ backfield runs through Nick Chubb. The 29-year-old proved to be a key offseason pickup, even though the team had no idea Mixon would miss an extended period. Having spent his first seven years in Cleveland, Texans fans didn’t expect much as Chubb had only played 10 games in his last two seasons.
Chubb is the team’s lone 100+ yard rusher this season. QB C.J. Stroud is second on the team with nine carries for 59 yards. Things haven’t exactly gone Houston’s way as they have just two touchdowns in their first two games. Chubb ran for one against the Bucs while Stroud threw one in Week 1.
The Texans’ backfield is clearly lacking without Mixon’s presence. Their No. 116 overall draft pick, Woody Marks, hasn’t been presented with an opportunity for whatever reason. Marks has just six attempts for 17 yards. Even further down the depth chart is 31-year-old Dare Ogunbowale and the team’s 2022 4th round pick, Dameon Pierce.
