Joe Mixon injury update: When will Texans RB return?
- - Joe Mixon injury update: When will Texans RB return?
Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYDecember 7, 2025 at 3:02 AM
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Joe Mixon injury update: When will Texans RB return?
The Houston Texans somehow find themselves on the verge of a division title after their worst start under coach DeMeco Ryans.
Houston started the season 2-4 after a Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in prime time on "Monday Night Football." Since then, the two-time defending AFC South champions have rattled off five wins in six games to be knocking on the door of a third consecutive division crown or a wild-card playoff berth.
That turnaround's mostly credit to the Texans' defense which ranks first in both yards and points allowed league-wide entering Week 14 of the regular season.
The offense has been a different story.
That unit's struggled in its first year under coordinator Nick Caley. Things have turned around slightly on this recent four-game winning streak but the Texans still rank 23rd league-wide in rushing.
A lot of that has to do with personnel. Houston's operated this year without Joe Mixon – the player who led the team in rushing last year.
Mixon hasn't suited up at all this season after an offseason injury. His last appearance for the Texans came in the AFC divisional playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs last season.
Houston faces Kansas City on the road once again this week. Here's what we know about his potential return:
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fo8okmfdHRvDHl_AjAyGtw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ece3b009de0e7aba961c9dfc2585f6aa class=caas-img data-headline="Best images of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fo8okmfdHRvDHl_AjAyGtw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ece3b009de0e7aba961c9dfc2585f6aa class=caas-img>
1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
When will Joe Mixon return?
There's no clear timetable for Mixon's return in 2025. He remains on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list as of Week 14 with no sign of the Texans moving him off of it.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Nov. 20 that Mixon is not expected to play this season because of the foot injury he suffered during the offseason.
Mixon quoted that post on X and refuted Rapoport's claim. He wrote "Now, I get everyone’s looking for splash news & clickbait… but I’m just curious, Ian how do you know more about me than me? 🤔"
Now, I get everyone’s looking for splash news & clickbait… but I’m just curious, Ian how do you know more about me than me? 🤔 @peterjschaffer get yo mans bro. https://t.co/5G6e6rWtAT
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) November 20, 2025
Source: “AOL Sports”
