Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon, who posted a 1,000-yard season in 2024, will miss at least the first four games of the 2025 NFL season due to a lingering foot injury. The team has placed him on its Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, leaving his availability uncertain. Meanwhile, the NFL rescinded a $25,000 fine previously imposed on him, citing a misattribution — a rare turn in league discipline.
As Mixon navigates these setbacks, his role in Houston’s backfield, his status in fantasy football, and his long-term future have become major talking points. Here’s a deep dive into where things stand.
Mixon’s Injury: What’s Wrong and What’s Next
Foot Injury Sidelines Mixon
- Mixon has been dealing with a foot injury since the offseason, which forced him to miss much of the Texans’ OTAs, minicamp, and training camp. NFL.com+2SI+2
- In late August 2025, Houston officially moved him from the active/non-football injury list to the Reserve/NFI list, guaranteeing that he will miss at least the first four regular-season games. NFL.com+1
- That decision effectively rules him out for matchups against the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans during those weeks. NFL.com+1
Uncertainty Over a Return
- Texans General Manager Nick Caserio has remained noncommittal about whether Mixon will play beyond Week 4, stating the team will “evaluate… after four weeks” to assess his status. ESPN.com
- According to injury analysts and media reports, the foot issue could require a lengthy rehab or even surgery, though no definitive timeline has been confirmed. Hindustan Times
- As of now, Houston has not activated him off the NFI list nor provided a clear recovery timetable. Battle Red Blog
Career Overview: From Bengals to Texans
Journey Through the NFL
- Draft and Bengals Era: Mixon began his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, becoming a key part of their backfield over seven seasons. Wikipedia
- Trade to Houston: On March 13, 2024, the Texans acquired him from the Bengals in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round pick. Wikipedia
- Contract: Following the trade, he signed a three-year extension through 2026, valued around $27 million. Wikipedia
2024 Season Highlights
- In his first season with Houston, he carried the ball 245 times for 1,016 rushing yards and added 11 rushing touchdowns. Wikipedia
- He also contributed as a receiver, with 36 catches for 309 yards and a touchdown. Wikipedia
- His performance earned him a spot on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025, where he was ranked No. 58. SI
Off-Field Drama: The Fine That Was Reversed
The Original Fine
- The NFL initially fined Mixon $25,000 after his team’s playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, citing criticism of game officials. Reuters+1
- The controversy began when a Sports Illustrated article attributed a harsh quote about referees to Mixon — a quote that actually originated from former Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Reuters
- Though Mixon did make his own, milder comments about referees, the tweet that triggered the fine was wrongfully attributed.
Appeal and U-Turn
- Mixon appealed the fine, and he won: appeals officer Chris Palmer determined that Mixon’s actual remarks did not clearly violate league policy. Reuters
- The NFL ultimately rescinded the fine, acknowledging its misstep. Reuters
- In a public response, Mixon questioned the league’s accountability and ability to correctly attribute quotes, underscoring his influence as a player. People.com+1
Injury Safety Debate: The Hip-Drop Tackle Issue
- In the 2024 season, Mixon was injured via a hip-drop tackle, a dangerous maneuver where defenders wrap up from behind and fall backwards, driving their bodyweight into the ball carrier. Houston Chronicle
- The NFL introduced a 15-yard penalty for hip-drop tackles in 2024 because they significantly increase the risk of injury. Houston Chronicle
- However, critics point out a gap in enforcement: according to league officials, no hip-drop tackles were penalized during games in the 2024 season, even though about 30 players were fined or warned during postgame reviews. Houston Chronicle
- Mixon expressed his frustration publicly, calling into question the NFL’s commitment to player safety and consistency in rule enforcement.
Impact on the Texans’ Backfield
Alternate Running Options
- With Mixon unavailable, Houston is expected to lean more heavily on Nick Chubb, whom they signed to a one-year contract worth up to $5 million. Reuters
- Other runners such as Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, and rookie Woody Marks are also anticipated to share the workload in his absence. ESPN.com
Strategic Considerations for Houston
- Losing their primary back early in the season could affect Houston’s running-game continuity and offense balance.
- The Texans must weigh Chubb’s early-season usage against keeping him fresh for a potential Mixon return.
- Mixon’s unclear timeline adds uncertainty to long-term roster planning and may influence future personnel decisions.
Fantasy Football and Fan Fallout
- Fantasy football players are notably uneasy about Mixon’s absence. Many are debating whether to bench him or drop him entirely, given the open-ended nature of his injury. Reddit
- Some fans and analysts argue that Houston’s silence on his recovery is “very strange” given his status and contract. Reddit+1
- For now, Chubb and Marks are likely to receive more attention in fantasy drafts, while Mixon’s return, if and when it happens, could reshape value dynamics.
Analysis: What This Means for Mixon’s Future
Short-Term Outlook
- Missing at least four games is certain, but a full-season return remains in flux.
- The Texans’ cautious approach suggests they may prioritize his long-term health over short-term gains.
- Chubb’s presence gives Houston insurance, reducing pressure to rush Mixon back.
Long-Term Implications
- At 29 years old, the risk of recurring injury could influence how Houston views his role going forward.
- A poor or prolonged recovery could affect his value on the final year of his contract.
- How Mixon performs when he returns (if he does) will be critical: he needs to reestablish himself after the layoff.
Reputation and Influence
- The fine debacle highlights Mixon’s prominence as a player with a voice.
- By successfully appealing, he reinforced that players can challenge league punishments and be heard.
- His comments about safety rules and officiating may shape discussions around player health and league discipline.
Conclusion
Joe Mixon’s 2025 journey has taken a rough turn — from a foot injury that jeopardizes his season to a controversial fine that was ultimately rescinded. For a player who was central to Houston’s offense in 2024, the early absence presents a meaningful disruption. How he recovers, how quickly he returns, and how the Texans respond in his absence will be watched closely — by fans, the league, and fantasy football players alike.
Whether this season becomes a setback or a reset could define Mixon’s trajectory with the Texans and in his NFL career.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
- Why is Joe Mixon not playing at the start of the 2025 season?
He has been placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list due to a foot injury, ruling him out for at least four games. NFL.com - What exactly is Joe Mixon’s injury?
Reports describe a lingering foot injury, though details on surgery or specific diagnosis have not been fully disclosed. NFL.com+1 - How did Mixon perform in the 2024 season?
He rushed 245 times for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns, and caught 36 passes for 309 yards and one score. Wikipedia - Did Joe Mixon get fined by the NFL recently?
Yes, he was initially fined $25,000 for comments about referees, but after appeal, the fine was rescinded due to misattribution. Reuters - What sparked the fine controversy?
A quote criticizing NFL officials was wrongly attributed to him in media; it was actually made by another former player. Reuters+1 - Is Joe Mixon expected to return in 2025?
His return is uncertain; the Texans plan to reassess him after four weeks, but there’s no confirmed timeline. ESPN.com - Who will run the ball for the Texans while Mixon is out?
Running backs Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, and rookie Woody Marks are likely to take over the workload. ESPN.com+1 - Did Mixon ever face safety concerns on the field?
Yes, he was injured by a hip-drop tackle in 2024 — a dangerous technique penalized by the NFL — which raised questions about rule enforcement. Houston Chronicle - What is a hip-drop tackle?
It’s a tackling technique where a defender wraps from behind and drops backward, driving their weight into the runner — risky and now penalized. Houston Chronicle - Has Mixon spoken out about his injury or the league’s enforcement of tackling rules?
He has publicly criticized the NFL’s consistency in enforcing the hip-drop rule and its approach to player safety. Houston Chronicle - What was Mixon’s compensation when he signed with Houston?
He agreed to a three-year, $27 million extension when he was traded to the Texans in 2024. Wikipedia - Has Mixon been recognized among top NFL players recently?
Yes, he was ranked No. 58 on the NFL’s Top 100 Players list for 2025. SI - Could Mixon miss the entire 2025 season because of his injury?
While unlikely confirmed, some analysts and reports suggest that a full-season absence is possible given the lack of clarity around his recovery. Hindustan Times - Did the NFL fine Mixon twice for the same incident?
Initially yes — and even after rescinding the first fine, the league issued another $25,000 penalty for a different quote, per media reports. People.com - Who appealed Mixon’s fine?
Joe Mixon appealed, and a league hearing officer reviewed his case, ultimately siding with him. Reuters - How has the fan reaction been to Mixon’s injury and fine drama?
Many fans, especially in fantasy football, are frustrated by the lack of transparent updates and unclear prognosis for his return. Reddit - What are the risk factors for Mixon’s long-term career?
At 29, continuous injury issues, a missed season span, and uncertainty in role may affect his longevity and future contract value. - Can Mixon be cut by the Texans if he doesn’t recover well?
It’s possible — but his existing contract, injury status, and dead cap implications would make any decision complex. Reddit - How common is it for NFL players’ fines to be rescinded on appeal?
It’s relatively rare; Mixon’s successful appeal underscores how misattributions or miscommunications can sometimes lead to reversals. - What might be next for Mixon and the Texans?
The key will be his recovery progress, how the Texans manage their backfield in his absence, and whether he can return strong — or whether they need to plan for a future where he’s not the lead back.
