Mixon’s placement on the non-football injury list to begin training camp for the 2025 season halted any transfer momentum down the stretch. It became apparent that something was more seriously wrong toward the end of the preseason, and he ultimately never made it off the NFI list, leaving the Texans to navigate their final run to the playoffs with a backfield led by Woody Marks and Nick Chubb.
Houston’s running backs combined for six TDs on the ground, and the team’s rushing attack finished 22nd in the league. Looking at an inefficient operation and a future muddied by Mixon’s injury, the Texans acquired David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions on Monday.
The clock already seemed to be ticking on Mixon’s time in Houston before then, but the pairing of Montgomery and Marks made his departure all but certain.
Mixon enters free agency with a stellar resume. He currently sits seventh among active players with 7,428 rushing yards, and his 60 touchdowns are tied for eighth. He’s also capable enough to do some damage in the passing game, as evidenced by his 2,448 career yards and 14 TD catches.
The main question mark facing Mixon’s continued ability to be a difference maker is his health. Any interested club will have to feel comfortable enough that the foot injury that sidelined Mixon for an entire season is now behind him.
Then he has to prove it on the field.