The Houston Texans cut ties with two-time Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon this offseason, at his request.
They left plenty of loose ends regarding public explanations.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has long taken a buttoned-up approach when discussing player injuries, as has general manager Nick Caserio, and Mixon’s case proved to be exemplary in that regard this past season.
Xavier Hutchinson Gets Honest About Joe Mixon
GettyThe Houston Texans missed Joe Mixon on the field during the 2025 season.
Mixon was supposed to be building off a 1,016-yard first season with the Texans following his trade from the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024. Heading into the 2025 offseason program, though, Mixon was a no-go and was spotted wearing a walking boot.
He shed the boot, but never found his way onto the practice field for the Texans throughout the season.
According to Xavier Hutchinson, the mystery was not just external.
“I don’t [know] either,” Hutchinson said on the “Caps Off Podcast” on May 15. “Whatever Nick Caserio or anyone from our building said, that’s as far as all I know about the … whole situation that had happened. Of course, I hope he gets better. I hope he’s on the right trend to get better.
“If he had to take that much time off, it must have been something serious. So, I just hope that the recovery is back on track for him. Because Joe is one hell of a player.”
The Texans certainly missed what Mixon brings to the table last season.
“When I say sets the tone, he’s the type of running back that sets the tone from the first 15 [plays] to the last 15,” Hutchinson said. “That’s someone that you want in your corner. Joe is that type of guy.”
Mixon’s career is stuck at 7,428 yards and 60 touchdowns on 1,816 carries, with another 2,448 and 14 TDs on 319 receptions, as his history of foot issues looms large over his future.
Texans Respected Joe Mixon’s Privacy
GettyJoe Mixon’s injury remains largely a mystery outside of the Houston Texans.
It is possible that Hutchinson was downplaying how much he knew, or that he was too invested in the season to worry about Mixon. The Texans have not been forthcoming.
“I can see all the news and media that circulates on everybody speculating. Well, it’s not us speculating. It’s everybody who’s writing the stories are speculating. So, it’s more so of, let’s not speculate if you don’t know the true information,” Ryans told reporters in August. “That’s Joe’s business, that’s whoever’s business, and don’t talk about it. Let him be at peace.”
Caserio’s comments were softer, but offered little more in terms of information.
“Honestly, it’s day to day,” Caserio said, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on February 24. “I think he had a surgery this offseason. I’m not trying to be evasive, but it’s a moving target. We’ll see what the prognosis is for the season and try to figure out what ultimately makes sense.”
The Texans cut ties with Mixon–who was in the final year of a two-year, $19.5 million contract–just under two weeks later, on March 6.
Caserio defended Mixon amid speculation that he incurred the injury while being reckless.
He has also noted that there were stretches where the veteran tailback would improve only to suffer a setback that reset his recovery. Mixon, for his part, has remained quiet about the situation and was rarely seen publicly during the season.
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