If you haven’t seen Joe Mixon taking handoffs lately, there is a very specific reason why. People keep asking about Joe Mixon's current team, and while the answer is technically the Houston Texans, he’s basically been a ghost in a jersey for the better part of a year. He is still on the roster. He still collects a check. But for the entire 2025 season, he didn't see the field once.
It’s been a weird, quiet ride for the former Pro Bowler. After a stellar 2024 campaign where he looked like the missing piece for C.J. Stroud, everything just... stopped.
The Texans are currently deep in a 2026 playoff run, fresh off a Wild Card win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mixon was there, sure. He was tweeting "W" and supporting his teammates from the sidelines. But the guys actually doing the work were rookie Woody Marks and the veteran Nick Chubb. Mixon? He’s still parked on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list.
The Mystery of the 2025 Ghost Season
Football fans have short memories. It feels like a lifetime ago that Mixon was the bell cow in Cincinnati. When he landed in Houston, he signed a three-year, $25.5 million extension that was supposed to keep him in the backfield through 2026.
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Then came the "offseason foot injury."
Nobody really knows exactly what happened. The Texans have been tight-lipped, using phrases like "making progress" or "no crystal ball timeline." It’s frustrating for fans and even worse for fantasy managers who burned high picks on him last August. He went from being a cornerstone of the offense to a $10 million question mark.
Is Joe Mixon Still on the Texans?
Yes. As of today, January 13, 2026, Joe Mixon's current team is the Houston Texans. But let’s be honest: "being on the team" and "playing for the team" are two different things right now.
Nick Caserio, the Texans' GM, has a tough decision looming. Mixon is 29. In running back years, that’s basically 100. He’s got over 1,800 career carries on his legs. When you add a mysterious, season-ending foot injury to that kind of mileage, the front office starts looking at the "Potential Out" clause in his contract.
If they keep him for the 2026 season, he carries a massive $10.5 million cap hit. If they cut him? They only eat $2 million in dead cap and save a whopping $8.5 million. In a league where every dollar counts toward keeping stars like C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. happy, that $8.5 million looks like a lot of money.
How the Backfield Moved On
While Mixon was rehabbing, the Texans didn't just wait around. They found new life.
- Woody Marks: The rookie out of USC has been a revelation. He just put up 112 yards in a playoff game.
- Nick Chubb: Even after his own horror injuries, Chubb has provided a steady veteran presence.
- The Stats: In 2024, the Texans were 15th in rushing. Without Mixon in 2025, they slipped to 23rd at one point, but the emergence of Marks has stabilized things just in time for the postseason.
What Happens Next for Joe Mixon?
Honestly, the "current team" status might change by March. Most league insiders, including guys like Ian Rapoport and local beat writers, think the Texans are going to move on. It’s not personal; it’s just business. If you can’t get on the field and you’re set to take up 3.4% of the entire team’s salary cap, your seat is hot.
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Mixon's legacy is solid. He was the heart of those Bengals teams that went to the Super Bowl. He gave Houston a 1,000-yard season when they desperately needed one in 2024. But the NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" league.
If he gets released, does another team pick him up? Maybe. A veteran on a one-year "prove it" deal is always a possibility for a contender. But for now, he’s a Texan—until he’s not.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Monitor the Transaction Wire: The crucial date is the start of the 2026 league year in March. If Mixon is still on the roster past the first few days of free agency, the Texans might actually be planning to keep him for his final contract year.
- Watch the Draft: If Houston uses a Day 1 or Day 2 pick on another running back this April, that is the final nail in the coffin for Mixon’s tenure.
- Check Injury Reports: Watch for any footage of Mixon participating in pre-game warmups during the remainder of the 2026 playoffs. If he’s not running at full speed by now, the foot issue might be more chronic than originally let on.