Speaking with the media Wednesday, Texans GM Nick Caserio said Mixon's foot/ankle injury that caused him to miss the entire 2025 season was a "freak thing" and "as unique a situation" as Caserio has seen, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

"He didn't jump off a building," Caserio said Wednesday regarding Mixon and how he suffered the injury. "He wasn't doing anything irresponsible. It was a freak thing." Both Caserio and coach DeMeco Ryans have said this week that Mixon's status for 2026 is uncertain. Mixon has just one year left on his contract and is scheduled to carry a $10 million cap number next season, and the Texans can clear $8 million in cap space by cutting the veteran running back. Expect Houston to further address the running back position this offseason after Woody Marks led the backfield with a pedestrian 196-703-2 rushing line as a 2025 rookie.

Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that Mixon's status for 2026 is uncertain due to foot and ankle injuries, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports. "As of right now, I don't know the answer to that right now," Ryans said when asked about the running back's status.

EDGE Analysis

Mixon missed the entire 2025 season, which left the Texans scrambling without an important weapon. Only twice in 19 games (including the postseason) did the team have a 100-yard rusher. If Mixon is unable to return next season, the organization is expected to look in the draft or free agency for a No. 1 back. Woody Marks ended the season as the backfield leader and is expected to remain in a significant role regardless of Mixon's status.

Mixon (foot/ankle) will not return this season, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was reported last month by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that Mixon wasn't expected to play this season, but the veteran running back somewhat refuted the report, implying that had yet to be determined. Mixon remains on the reserve/non-football injury list. Houston will continue to roll with Woody Marks, Jawhar Jordan and Nick Chubb out of the backfield in Week 18 and the postseason.

Mixon (foot/ankle) refuted a report that he is not expected to return this season, Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that Mixon is not expected to return this season, prompting the running back to clap back. "Now, I get everyone's looking for splash news & clickbait... but I'm just curious, Ian how do you know more about me than me?," Mixon responded. The report adds that two sources told the Houston Chronicle that the team holds out hope the running back's foot responds to treatment, but added he was not expected to play in 2025. Mixon has been on the reserve/non-football injury list all season, and in his ongoing absence, Woody Marks (115 carries) and Nick Chubb (105 carries) have handled the bulk of the rushing duties for the 6-5 Texans.

Mixon (foot/ankle) is not expected to suit up during the 2025 campaign, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mixon has spent the entire regular season on the reserve/non-football injury list due to an injury suffered during an individual workout in the spring. The lack of information provided by Houston on his expected recovery timetable had already spread doubt about his chances of retaking the field, so it's a minor relief to finally have some added clarity provided. Rookie fourth-rounder Woody Marks and veteran Nick Chubb will continue to lead Houston's backfield down the stretch, but this is likely a unit that will be heavily revamped ahead of the 2026 campaign. Mixon technically remains under contract with the Texans for one more season, but the team has a potential 'out' in his contract this offseason for only $2 million in dead cap, and it's difficult to envision Houston sticking with the 29-year-old running back after a lost year.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio suggested Tuesday that Mixon's (foot/ankle) availability for the 2025 season hasn't yet been determined, but Houston expects to have more clarity on that front in the next three or four weeks, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Caserio's comments during his press conference mark the first time that a member of the Houston brass has addressed Mixon's status since the start of the regular season. The veteran running back was placed on the non-football injury list ahead of training camp after getting hurt during an individual workout in the spring, and the Texans have been non-committal on a timeline for his return ever since. Given that the Texans aren't yet hinting that Mixon will even resume practicing in the near future, the 29-year-old doesn't look like he's on track to be an option in the Houston backfield until late in the season, if at all. The Texans are likely to continue to lean on a timeshare of Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks at running back for the foreseeable future.

Mixon (foot) is not ready to be activated off the reserve/non-football injury list this week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran back can be activated as soon as Week 5, but Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was asked twice during Monday's session with reporters and declined to provide any kind of estimated return date for Mixon, per Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. While there's no official word, it doesn't appear he is close to returning. In the meantime, Woody Marks, fresh off a breakout performance in Week 4, and Nick Chubb will continue to share the bulk of the backfield work.

Coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that Mixon (foot) is not close to a return to the field, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mixon is on the reserve/non-football injury list and is eligible to begin practicing this week, but Ryans suggested that's not going to happen anytime soon. Ryans even admitted he doesn't know if Mixon will play this season. Woody Marks had a breakout Week 4 performance against the Titans in Week 4 and appears poised to take more control of the backfield alongside Nick Chubb moving forward.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio declined to answer in the affirmative when asked Wednesday whether Mixon (foot/ankle) will suit up this season, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mixon is officially out the first four games of the year after having been placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list Tuesday, but when prompted Wednesday for more clarity about a timetable for his potential return to the field, all Caserio said was that the team will "take it one day at a time," and that players on IR or the NFI lists will be evaluated "after four weeks and see where they are in their progression and then make a determination." Mixon has been sidelined throughout spring activities, training camp and the preseason, leaving Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, Woody Marks and Dare Ogunbowale as Houston's top backfield options to open the regular season.

The Texans placed Mixon (foot/ankle) on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list Tuesday, ruling him out for the first four games of the season.

EDGE Analysis

The move has been expected for at least a few days, with Mixon far way from a return and seemingly uncertain to play even later this season. Nick Chubb is the favorite to start in Mixon's place Week 1 against the Rams, although Dameon Pierce, Woody Marks and Dare Ogunbowale are also in the mix for roles.