The Houston Texans admittedly missed Joe Mixon this past season, and they remain uncertain about his status for next season.
However, the reason behind all of the uncertainty remains just as unclear.
All that has been revealed about Mixon’s status is that he has an injury involving his foot and/or ankle. Beyond that, all that has been shared has come from other sources, including general manager Nick Caserio, whose most recent comments have not exactly helped matters.
Texans’ Joe Mixon Update Draws Negative Reaction
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
John McClain, formerly of the Houston Chronicle, decried the Caserio and the Texans’ handling of Mixon’s situation.
“In all my decades covering the NFL, including the Oilers and Texans, I’ve never seen a team hide an injury description from fans and media like the Texans have with Joe Mixon,” McClain posted on X on February 5. “They won’t say what the injury is and when he was injured. Local and national media have been unable to uncover this mystery. If Mixon is ever available to the media again, he’ll be grilled in unprecedented fashion.”
Caserio recently said that, “at some point,” the Texans would see Mixon for an in-person evaluation.
However, he is no more certain to play in 2026 than he was at any point this past season.
“Honestly, Joe worked really hard to try to get himself ready. I think he’s committed to trying to be able to play football this year. We’ll see if he physically is able to do it or not. So, it’s a little bit of a moving target still,” Caserio said on “Payne & Pendergast” on February 5.
“As we get a little bit closer, we’ll probably have a better idea. Before we get to the season, I’m sure we’ll have an idea–probably know before then–what Joe’s situation is.”
Caserio previously referred to it as a “freak thing,” which only adds to the speculative fuel.
DeMeco Ryans & Nick Caserio Defend Joe Mixon
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of he Houston Texans reacts after defeating the Tennessee Titans.
Caserio also previously attempted to quell the speculation around Mixon, who was spotted wearing a walking boot before the season began and spent the entire campaign on the non-football injury (NFI) list.
However, his explanation presented even more questions than actual answers about the two-time Pro Bowler.
“He didn’t do anything off the field. It wasn’t like he was riding like a snowmobile, or anything like that. I’d say it was just more of a medical condition, or situation, that just–we never–it really didn’t improve, maybe, as much as everybody would have hoped,” Caserio said in January. “He didn’t jump off a building. He wasn’t cliff diving, or anything like that; He wasn’t doing anything irresponsible. It was just–it was a freak thing. Honestly, I’ve never seen it, just the condition.”
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has defended Mixon’s right to privacy.
“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 said in August. “That’s Joe’s business, that’s whoever’s business, and don’t talk about it. Let him be at peace.”
This offseason, the Texans face a critical roster decision with Mixon, who has no guaranteed money in what is the final season of a three-year, $19.7 million contract.
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