HOUSTON — The Texans released veteran running back Joe Mixon on Friday after he missed the 2025 season with a foot injury.
Mixon requested his release Thursday, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. A day later, the Texans granted it, releasing him with a non-football injury designation.
It saves Houston $8 million in cap space.
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Mixon, 29, suffered a mysterious foot injury during the offseason, the specifics of which the Texans never disclosed. As a result, Mixon missed all the team’s offseason workouts and training camp.
Houston then placed Mixon on the non-football injury list at the end of training camp, which automatically sidelined him for four games.
Although there was hope he could come back, Mixon’s foot never healed. As a result, Houston leaned on rookie Woody Marks (team-high 703 rushing yards) and free agent signing Nick Chubb (506). Houston finished just 22nd in the league in rushing yards per game (108).
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Looking to improve in that area, the Texans agreed to a deal to acquire David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions earlier this week.
In 2024, Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning him Pro Bowl honors in his first season with the Texans. He had 159 yards and a touchdown in his first game in Houston, against the Indianapolis Colts.
He suffered an ankle injury that year, then came back and posted six more 100-yard rushing outings during the regular season. Mixon also rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns during the Texans’ 2024 playoff run, which ended with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round.
Houston acquired Mixon via trade from the Cincinnati Bengals in March 2024 after he was expected to be released. The franchise immediately gave him a three-year, $27 million contract extension, including $13 million guaranteed.
