The Texans released Mixon (foot) on Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

This move was always coming after Houston traded for David Montgomery earlier in the week. Mixon missed the entirety of the 2025 season recovering from some sort of foot injury that neither the team nor player has discussed much through the media. It's unclear what kind of timeline Mixon is looking at in his recovery and return to the field. The move saves the Texans $8 million in cap space. Mixon will turn 30 years old in July and has lacked big-play ability in recent years. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has 7,428 career rushing yards and 60 touchdowns. His days of being an every-down back are likely over.

According to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, the signs point to a potential break between Mixon (who is recovering from a foot injury that sidelined him this past season) and the Texans.

EDGE Analysis

That's a notion echoed by Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, who indicates that the Texans are expected to ultimately part ways with the running back -- who reportedly recently underwent surgery to address his foot issue -- via a failed physical. For his part, GM Nick Caserio describes Mixon's status with the team as "a moving target," while adding "we'll kind of see what the availability is going to be, what the prognosis is for the season and then ultimately try to figure out what makes sense for everybody involved." Per Wilson, releasing Mixon from his contract would save the Texans $8.5 million.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that Mixon (foot/ankle) had surgery this offseason, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mixon missed the entire 2025 season due to a foot/ankle injury that Caserio said in January was a "freak thing" and "as unique a situation" as he has dealt with, and though he has one year left on his contract, his status with the team for 2026 remains uncertain. Caserio also said in January that the Texans' medical staff will need to evaluate Mixon before determining whether the veteran running back will be able to play next season. The news of Mixon undergoing a new offseason procedure seemingly adds a further wrinkle to that evaluation, though Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports that the team would like to have Mixon back. Across 14 regular-season appearances with Houston in 2024, Mixon rushed 245 times for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding a 36-309-1 line through the air.

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.