DeMeco Ryans Addresses Texans Moving On From Joe Mixon

After a long, mysterious saga revolving around Joe Mixon, the Houston Texans, and his lingering foot injury for nearly the past year, the team officially decided to release the veteran running back last month in an effort to save cap space for this offseason and part ways after just two years.

It was ultimately an unfortunate ending for the veteran runner that had been brewing in recent months after Mixon had been dealing with an unknown foot injury that Texans general manager Nick Caserio has previously described as a "freak" situation.

It sidelined him for the entire 2025 campaign, and without clarity on what his status held for 2026, Houston opted to release him rolling into next year to save $8 million.

All in all, it's simply part of the business that is the NFL–– but still doesn't make the decision any less difficult for Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.

"Definitely tough," Ryans said about cutting Mixon during NFL meetings in Arizona, via KPRC2's Aaron Wilson. "First and foremost, I think the world of Joe [Mixon], and what he was capable of doing for our team."

"He's an outstanding player. Outstanding energy provider for our team. Losing him was tough."

PHOENIX - #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on replacing Joe Mixon ('It was tough, think the world of Joe') with David Montgomery: 'All football, locked in, great addition, can carry the load for us' @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/3eTJEhKxY2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 31, 2026

DeMeco Ryans Looking Forward to David Montgomery Addition

At the same time, Ryans is still eagerly awaiting the upgrade that the Texans will be filling into the backfield for next season with veteran runner David Montgomery; someone who brings the exact mentality Houston covets, but also ideal consistency that makes him a perfect candidate to handle a lion's share of the carries next season.

"To be able to come back this year and add David Montgomery. 'Knuckles!' We like that physical brand of football that he brings," Ryans continued. "But, the consistency; David is a consistent runner. He knows how to get more than what is blocked for. Very consistent, efficient. So, I'm excited to work with him."

"First meeting him, he's all football. He's serious. He's locked in. He's all football, and he's eager for that opportunity to really be that guy, to really carry the load for us."

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) warms up ahead of the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last season, Montgomery put together some of his lowest numbers as a pro behind the stellar production of Jahmyr Gibbs, posting 158 rushes for 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games, making for his lowest numbers of carries and total yards from scrimmage since entering the league.

But when factoring in the new situation he has at his hands in Houston provide a perfect opportunity to turn those numbers around in just his first year onboard what will be his third NFL team.

As long as Montgomery's healthy, he'll be the clear candidate to claim the bulk of the Texans' total carries throughout the season ahead of Woody Marks, run behind a revamped Houston offensive line, and, best-case scenario, fill the void left by Mixon to help this scoring unit find its balance better than what was seen in 2025.

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