When Will Texans Prodigy Joe Mixon Make His Comeback, Play Against Buccaneers?

The Houston Texans season began in a cloud of uncertainty as star running back Joe Mixon has been placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. This means Mixon will miss at least the first four games of the 2025-26 season.

Mixon was signed by the Texans from the Bengals and was set to be a pivotal player for quarterback C.J. Stroud. However, since Mixon’s knot been available, Houston’s offense has taken a hit, which was particularly noticeable in their loss to the Rams.

Injury analyst Jeff Mueller reported that he has received worrying information about Mixon’s injury from various sources. Coach DeMeco Ryans stated that while Mixon will be missed, the team has to progress with the available players.

General Manager Nick Caserio spoke about the issue but didn’t provide a specific timeline for Mixon’s return, stating, “We’ll see. We’ll take it one day at a time. We’ll assess those players after four weeks and see where they are in their development before making a decision.”

In the meantime, the Texans have turned to Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, and rookie Woody Marks to head the backfield. Each brings unique attributes to the table — Chubb has pro-bowl experience, Pierce is a reliable power runner, and Marks offers speed and versatility.

Mixon had a solid first year with Houston, rushing for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns and catching 36 passes for an additional 309 yards and a touchdown. Altogether, he ended the regular season with 12 touchdowns and added two more in the playoffs, becoming a crucial part of the Texans’ offense.

With Mixon currently sidelined, the Texans have rushed to fill the void with a variety of running backs, comprising Rookie Woody Marks, Nick Chubb, and Dare Ogunbowale. Chubb, formerly of the Cleveland Browns, is slated to handle the majority of early-down work, despite struggling to regain form after previous serious injuries.