The Houston Texans have started the season 2-3, but their offense, which struggled last year, has come to almost a complete halt this season. While quite a lot of the blame has fallen on the offensive line, things might potentially go from bad to worse for the unit.
A big reason for whatever little success the offense had last year was the excellent year Joe Mixon put together from the backfield. Unfortunately, there is a possibility that his 2025 campaign is already over before it even begins.
Joe Mixon Injury Update
Last season, Mixon tallied 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns, emerging as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise thoroughly disappointing offensive unit. As a result, it seemed certain that he would continue to play a key role in the Texans’ plans this season.
However, those plans never came to fruition. A somewhat mysterious foot/ankle injury sustained in the offseason, which has not been fully disclosed to the public, led Houston to place him on the PUP list before the season began.
Mixon was eligible to come off the PUP list last week before the Texans squared off against the Baltimore Ravens. However, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters that Mixon is not ready to play, according to reporter Aaron Wilson.
Wilson adds that his sources tell him “it will be much longer, if at all, for Mixon to get back on the field this season.”
Texans general manager Nick Caserio was asked about Mixon’s status after Week 5, and he remained non-committal about whether the running back will play this season.
“He is making progress, so, we wouldn’t put a particular timetable on it,” Caserio said. “So think over the next few, three, four weeks probably get a little more information here, kind of see how it is progressing, but you know, take them one day at a time, I think once we kind of get to that period, probably have a better sense of, you know, which way it’s going to go, you know, for the duration of the year.”
#Texans GM Nick Caserio on Joe Mixon status still in limbo for ‘duration of season’ didn’t say if he will return or not @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/e9CA1JA88L
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 7, 2025
Also, a quote from head coach DeMeco Ryans in the press conference caught everyone’s attention: “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.”
The use of the past tense was clearly noticeable to whoever was listening in, and it has led to a growing concern amongst the fan base. Their superstar running back, without whom the offense ranks as the 19th-best unit on PFSN’s Offense Impact, might be done for the season as a whole.
With Mixon out, Nick Chubb began the season as the Texans’ leading rusher, but rookie Woody Marks soon appeared to be taking over RB1 duties. In the Texans’ Week 4 win over the Titans, Marks had a breakout game with 17 carries for 69 yards, a touchdown, along with four receptions for 50 yards, and another score. Surprisingly, Dameon Pierce has remained healthy but inactive despite Mixon being sidelined.
However, things changed in Week 5 as Chubb was again the Texans’ leading back. So far this season, he has 58 carries for 249 yards and two touchdowns.
The Texans are going to need all the help they can get if they want to make a run for a playoff spot after starting 2-3, and Mixon could help them… if he’s able to play.
Mixon’s Fantasy Outlook
Mixon battled an ankle injury throughout the summer, and considering he has missed three games in two of the past three seasons, not to mention that he has north of 2,100 NFL touches, he will be tough to trust in any capacity in the short term.
The 29-year-old has averaged more than 4.1 yards per catch just once in his career, making him more of a volume-based fantasy asset than one that can hit your lineup with limited work. With over 1,200 scrimmage yards in four straight seasons, Mixon stands to be a weekly option, but you’re playing the long game.
Houston goes on bye in Week 6 and has some difficult matchups sprinkled in its schedule over the first two months. But if we get a bellcow version of Mixon as winter nears, he could be a popular name on rosters playing for fantasy glory (Weeks 15-16, home games against the Cardinals and Raiders).
That said, if you’re burning a valuable roster spot on Mixon, I’d be comfortable moving on.
