Texans Raise Eyebrows With Ominous Joe Mixon Injury Update

The Houston Texans could put it off no more, and general manager Nick Caserio was the one left to address the situation. The Texans have not had Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon available at all this season and, from the sounds of it, are not holding out hope that will change.

Mixon was a prized offseason trade acquisition in 2024, and he proved his value as a dual threat out of the backfield.

However, the Texans have adjusted to their new reality, while time is working against Mixon.

Texans GM Nick Caserio ‘Leaving Door Open’ for Joe Mixon Return

GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans runs onto the field before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.

Caserio joined SportsRadio 610 on Tuesday and drew attention with his comments about Mixon’s status as the Texans prepare to face the Buffalo Bills – most likely, without quarterback C.J. Stroud – on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 12.

Unfortunately, not much has changed since the last time Caserio addressed Mixon’s status, a point the GM noted during this update.

Caserio agreed when asked if the Texans were “leaving the door open” for Mixon. That’s it.

“I think that’s kind of how we’ve approached it. Look, it’s – I know we’ve been asked about this multiple times. And it’s not – I’m trying to be evasive. It’s just a very gray situation, and Joe’s worked at it. And there are times when he’s made progress, and other times when the progress just kind of stalled there a little bit,” Caserio told “Payne & Pendergast” on November 18.

“Players in his status, the situation, are on the reserve list until they’re not. So, Joe’s doing everything he can. Obviously, we’re getting pretty late in the game here. So, I don’t want to establish any sort of expectations.”

Mixon donned a walking boot early in the offseason, and the Texans placed him on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list in August.

There were expectations for clarity by mid-October, which never truly came.

Nick Caserio Walks Back Joe Mixon Comments

GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Caserio pointed back to his own previous comments about Mixon from October, the fifth-year general manager told reporters, “I think, probably over the next few weeks, we’ll probably have a better idea. He’s making progress. So, I wouldn’t put a particular timetable on it.

“But I think once we kind of get to that period, probably have a better sense of which way it’s going to go for the duration of the year.”

Caserio had to walk those comments back a bit on Tuesday.

“I don’t think we have any more clarity at this point,” Caserio said. “So, I think at this point, he’s out until he’s not. And again, it’s just a very, I would say, gray. Just kind of a lot of ambiguity. Not a lot of clarity. It’s nobody’s fault. This is the reality of the situation. So, I’d say that’s kind of where we are.”

Mixon has remained engaged with the Texans’ performances this season and with his teammates off of it. However, they had high hopes for him as a centerpiece of the offense. The Texans have turned to fourth-round rookie Woody Marks and veteran Nick Chubb in his stead.

Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter