The Houston Texans have released running back Joe Mixon, ending his two-year tenure after a mysterious foot injury sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. The move, which came just days after trading for David Montgomery, underscores the unforgiving nature of NFL roster management and leaves Mixon’s future in flux.
In a stunning roster move, the Houston Texans released veteran running back Joe Mixon on Friday, March 6, 2026. The decision comes after Mixon missed the entire 2025 season due to a foot injury sustained away from the facility during the offseason. General Manager Nick Caserio labeled the injury as “freak,” highlighting the unpredictable nature of football injuries. Mixon had one year remaining on a three-year, $27 million contract extension he signed after joining the Texans from the Cincinnati Bengals.
Mixon’s career has been defined by resilience and production. After seven seasons with the Bengals, where he rushed for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive years, he signed with Houston in 2024. His first season with the Texans was a success: 1,016 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, providing a steady presence in the backfield. However, the 2025 offseason took a turn when the foot injury surfaced, leaving the team in the dark about his recovery timeline throughout the season.
Without Mixon, the Texans relied heavily on a committee approach featuring rookie Woody Marks and veteran Chubb. Marks, a fourth-round pick, impressed with 703 rushing yards, while Chubb added 506. Yet, the offense sputtered when it mattered most. In the playoff loss to the New England Patriots, the Texans managed a meager 48 yards on the ground, a performance documented by the Associated Press.
The timing of Mixon’s release is no coincidence. Just days earlier, the Texans acquired David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in a trade that signaled a strategic shift. Montgomery, a proven between-the-tackles runner, fits the offensive identity the Texans now seek. Adding him while shedding Mixon’s remaining salary provides financial flexibility and clarifies the running back hierarchy. It’s a cold, calculated move typical of modern NFL roster management, where past performance often yields to future projections and cap health as tracked by the Associated Press’ NFL coverage.
Fan reaction has been mixed, with many questioning the team’s handling of Mixon’s injury. Rumors swirled throughout the season about the severity of his foot issue, with some speculating it could be a long-term problem. Others wondered if the Texans had lost confidence in his ability to return to form. The “freak” designation from Caserio does little to quell speculation that the injury might be more serious than initially let on.
For Mixon, the next step is uncertain. At 29, he’s still in his prime as a runner, but a full season off raises concerns about his durability and explosiveness. Teams in need of a short-term solution might take a flier, but his market will be limited by the injury uncertainty. Meanwhile, the Texans move forward with Marks as the lead back, with Chubb in a complementary role, and Montgomery expected to handle goal-line duties. This three-man rotation aims to keep all involved fresh while maximizing each player’s strengths.
The Texans’ decision reflects a broader NFL trend: teams are increasingly unwilling to carry injured high-salary players without a clear return date. In a league where roster spots are precious, even a beloved contributor like Mixon can become expendable when a healthier, albeit less proven, alternative emerges. It’s a harsh reality of professional sports, where loyalty often takes a backseat to immediate competitiveness and fiscal responsibility.
As the Texans retool for another playoff push, they’ve made a definitive statement: the past two seasons’ successes don’t guarantee future roster security. For Mixon, the next chapter begins with a tryout elsewhere, hoping to prove the “freak” injury was an anomaly. For Houston, the David Montgomery era starts now, with the ghost of Joe Mixon’s unfulfilled potential lingering in the background.
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