Joe Mixon Will Not Play This Season for the Houston Texans
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Joe Mixon enjoyed a very solid 2024 campaign for the Houston Oilers that earned him a second trip to the Pro Bowl. However, 2025 was never guaranteed after a foot injury suffered four months ago. At first, he was put on the PUP (Physically Unable to Play) list. It is basically the non-football injury list.
Now, his 2025 season is indeed done before it ever got started.
Sources: #Texans RB Joe Mixon is not expected to play this season as he deals with a foot injury from the offseason.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 20, 2025
Mixon likely remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list through the season. Meanwhile, Houston moves forward with Nick Chubb and Woody Marks. pic.twitter.com/gr7E4QSIEO
Mixon came off back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons and 11 touchdowns in 2024. He was counted on to carry most of the workload in 2025 (around 250 carries). He had 257 in 2023 and 245 in 2024. Nick Chubb and Woody Marks have carried the way in 2025. Marks, a rookie, has seen double digit carries in five straight and six of the last seven games.
What This Means Going Forward
Simply for the Houston Texans, it is more of the same. C.J. Stroud is out again for Week 12 and Davis Mills will start. Stroud expects to be ready for Week 13. Eventually, the offensive line needs to improve but both running backs overall have not been all that successful.
Houston averages 4.2 yards per run overall which ranks 22nd in the league. Add in only five rushing touchdowns and that ranks 26th. Confidence is not high for their red zone and it is a team that needs to be effective rushing to win. No one said spectacular just effective. The last month has seen up and down performances including just 75 yards in a close win last week against Tennessee.
When the Houston Texans knew about Joe Mixon potentially missing the season is the part of the equation I'd like to know the most.
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) November 20, 2025
They drafted Woody Marks, who would have been an excellent backup for Mixon. Surely they knew something in June when they opted to sign Nick Chubb.
That question may need to be answered eventually. However, at 5-5, the Texans need wins and Woody Marks will be the 1A while Chubb is the 1B here. Marks draws a decent to pretty good matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night.
Marks is the better pass catch with 16 catches on the season and has some explosiveness. He had at least one 10+ yard run in six of the past seven contests. Yes, Houston needs more and so do fantasy owners. However, this has been the hand they are dealt. We are referring to fantasy football owners, of course.
Some Parting Thoughts
Again, what might have been if Mixon had not gotten hurt. Mixon and Marks would have been a pretty solid combination in the backfield. Marks gets the chance during the stretch run to up his numbers and stock. Let us see what happens.
Now, at least Houston knows their depth chart for the rest of 2025 at the RB position. Finally.
