Texans GM’s comments spark worries Joe Mixon could miss season

Things are looking bleak in Houston.

Texans running back Joe Mixon is already on the physically unable to perform list with a foot injury, meaning he will not be playing for the first four weeks — and it could be even worse than that.

Texans GM Nick Caserio was asked if he expects Mixon to be ready after those four weeks.

“Once we get through four weeks, we’ll evaluate it at that time,” Caserio told reporters Wednesday.

When asked if he anticipates playing, Caserio said “we’ll see, we’ll take it one day at a time.”

Caserio did not offer any assurance that Mixon was going to play this season.

Mixon signed a three-year, $25.5 million deal last offseason and ran for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns.

With Mixon’s health status a major question mark, Houston heads into the 2025 season with four running backs on its roster.

Projected starter Nick Chubb has suffered two of the most gruesome leg injuries seen on the football field in recent years.

Chubb played all seven of his NFL seasons with the Browns, rushing for over 1,000 yards in four straight seasons from 2019 through 2022.

Behind him is Dameon Pierce, who has seen his production dip in consecutive seasons since he rushed for 939 yards as a rookie in 2022.

Dare Ogunbowale profiles as more of a passing-down back, while fourth-round draft pick Woody Marks is currently listed fourth on the depth chart.

Houston could look to bring in an available running back, such as Tank Bigsby or Travis Etienne Jr., who are rumored as being shopped by the Jaguars.

Anyone who does get some work in Houston will be doing so behind the worst offensive line in football, according to Pro Football Focus.