When will Joe Mixon return? Latest injury updates on Texans RB – USA Today

Things haven’t exactly gone to plan for the Houston Texans in 2025.
The two-time defending AFC South champions boast the top scoring defense in the league but the offense hasn’t kept up. Quarterback C.J. Stroud is operating behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league this season, per ESPN’s pass and run block win rates.
He hasn’t had much help in the run game, either. One of the biggest reasons for that is the absence of running back Joe Mixon.
Mixon made the Pro Bowl in 2024 after one of his best seasons in the NFL. The eight-year veteran had 1,325 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns as a crucial part of the offense.
He hasn’t suited up all year because of a non-football related foot injury suffered in July. That injury kept him out of training camp, preseason and nearly half of the regular season at this point.
Here’s what we know about a potential return for the Texans‘ top running back.
There’s no clear return date for Mixon at time of publishing.
Because he was put on the reserve/non-football related injury (NFI) list, it’s trickier to predict a return date. If he was put on injured reserve (IR), he’d have to return by a certain point of the season as per NFL rules. He’s been on the reserve/NFI list since late August. He would’ve been able to return as early as Week 5 but hasn’t participated in practice yet this year.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio most recently provided an update on his status in early October but wasn’t committal about a specific return date.
“Probably over the next few weeks we’ll have a better idea,” Caserio said. “He’s making progress so I wouldn’t put a particular timetable on it. Over the next three, four weeks probably get a little more information here and see how he’s progressing.
“Once we get to that period, probably have a better sense of which way it’s going to go for the duration of the year.”
Using Caserio’s projection from that press conference, the team should have more information around Halloween. As of now, Texans fans will have to wait.
Chubb signed in free agency this offseason and leads the team in carries (63) and rushing yards (265). The rookie fourth-round pick Marks has earned a bigger role in recent weeks. He led the team in carries in Week 7 with 10 for 15 yards against the Seahawks on “Monday Night Football.”
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