On Monday, NFL Media revealed that the Texans and Lions agreed to terms on a deal sending Montgomery to Houston. The AFC South franchise now boasts significant depth at running back, but changes to the depth chart could be imminent.

According to Mike Florio of NBC, the Texans plan to make David Montgomery their RB1, with Woody Marks serving as his primary backup. Despite Joe Mixon still being under contract, reports suggest Houston could release him soon, while Nick Chubb is not expected to return next season.

Joe Mixon’s health issues continue

Last year, Joe Mixon was sidelined with a foot injury. Initial reports indicated he would eventually return, but that never materialized, and he ended up missing the entire 2025 NFL season.

Mixon’s situation remains puzzling. Many analysts consider the details surrounding his injury and prolonged absence a mystery, as neither the Texans nor the player have fully clarified the extent of the issue.

As of now, Mixon is not expected to draw significant interest in free agency. Teams are typically hesitant to invest in a player with uncertain health, especially one coming off a full season away from the field.

What will happen with Nick Chubb?

The Texans acquired Nick Chubb last year following Mixon’s injury. He was coming off a serious knee injury of his own, which raised questions about his durability and effectiveness.

Chubb finished the season with 506 rushing yards in 15 games. With Montgomery now in the picture and Chubb set to become a free agent, Houston is not expected to bring him back for the 2026 campaign.

“Mannnnn I wish I was playing…” Mixon posted just after CJ Stroud’s third interception of the four he threw in the first half against the Patriots. Mixon missed all season due to a foot injury suffered before the season started.

Mixon signed for the Texans last season and he earned Pro Bowl honors. He racked up 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns. Given that the Texans ranked 22nd in rushing yards per game, it’s safe to say that Mixon was sorely missed by Houston.

Mixon would likely still not be enough

CJ Stroud’s regression is literally a disaster. After a historically good rookie year, the hype was big and Stroud showed potential to be one of the best QBs in the NFL. Fast forward two years, and Stroud is the weak link of an otherwise excellent team in pretty much all facets of the game.

Even if Mixon was playing, Stroud’s mistakes are tough to get around. The Texans literally have the best defense in the NFL, they have good-to-very-good wideouts and with Mixon, a top-tier back too. However, none of that matters if your quarterback gifts the game away.

Stroud also had an erratic Wild Card Round game

The Texans blew the Steelers out in the Wild Card Round, but it wasn’t thanks to Stroud, it was despite him. Stroud had three turnovers, including a red zone pick against Pittsburgh. He was, once again, the player who failed to deliver for Houston.

In fact, two of the touchdowns in that game were scored by the defense. Hence, it’s a very bad streak Stroud is in. Not to mention, Stroud is on the verge of making the team decide if it will pay him a second contract or not. Right now, paying him could be seen as a mistake.

Week 12 begins with a Thursday Night Football matchup between the Texans and the Bills. Houston enters the game as the underdog, with Buffalo considered the clear favorite.

Unfortunately for the Texans, they head into this contest without CJ Stroud. Adding to the quarterback’s absence is Joe Mixon, and the club has now received an important update on the running back.

Report: Texans do not expect Joe Mixon to return this season

Earlier this week, Texans general manager Nick Caserio told the media that Joe Mixon’s status remained uncertain. His comments were not encouraging, and now a new report has made the situation even more concerning.

Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday that the Texans do not expect Joe Mixon to play this season. The running back was originally expected to return around midseason, but he has not recovered as hoped.

Before the 2025 NFL season began, Mixon suffered an ankle injury that was supposed to sideline him for only the first few games. However, it turned out to be far more serious than expected.

The NFL insider also hinted that this may lead to Joe Mixon’s retirement. The 29-year-old has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, and injuries of this nature often become career-ending.

“If Mixon cannot play at all in 2025, it’s fair to wonder whether we’ve already seen the last of him in the NFL,” Ian Rapoport said. “Houston signed Mixon to a two-year extension shortly after trading a seventh-round pick to the Bengals for the running back in March of 2024, setting up what should have been a multi-year partnership intended to provide Stroud with a reliable weapon in the running and passing game.”

A huge problem for CJ Stroud

While CJ Stroud remains sidelined due to the concussion he suffered against the Broncos, he is expected to return soon. Still, the outlook for the offense is not promising.

Mixon was a key piece in Stroud’s system. Without him, the Texans face serious issues at running back—especially considering that Nick Chubb, who was supposed to replace Mixon, eventually lost his job to rookie Woody Marks.

The veteran running back has been sidelined with a foot injury since the offseason and was placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list in late August — a move that has kept him from seeing any game action alongside his teammates so far this season.

Nick Caserio spoke to the media about the situation and, while stopping short of confirming a return date, revealed that the team will wait a few more weeks before having a clearer picture of Mixon’s physical condition.

“He is making progress. . . Over the next few three or four weeks probably we’ll get more information here,” the General Manager stated on his press conference. “But, taking one day at a time.”

What happened to Mixon?

The Houston Texans are still operating without veteran running back Joe Mixon, who has missed the entire 2025 season after sustaining a foot/ankle injury during an offseason workout. Mixon was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, which ruled him out for at least the first four games.

While the 29-year-old is now eligible to be activated, General Manager Nick Caserio stated on Tuesday that there is no set timetable for his return.

In the meantime, the Texans’ backfield has relied on a shared workload between veteran Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks. Mixon, who ran for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, remains a significant question mark for the team’s offensive outlook.

Getting back into AFC South contention

The Houston Texans are suddenly surging in the AFC South race, riding a two-game winning streak to climb back into contention. After a dominant 44-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, the Texans now sit at a 2-3 record, putting pressure on the division leaders.

With the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars currently atop the division with 4-1 records, Houston is now just two games back in the loss column. While the schedule stiffens ahead, C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ offense have shown flashes of their potential, proving they are far from out of the hunt as they enter their bye week looking to build on their momentum and close the gap on their AFC South rivals.

If the Texans want to establish themselves as serious contenders in the AFC South, securing a home victory will be absolutely crucial. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

That’s something Ryans fully understands. In fact, he considers Mayfield one of the top quarterbacks in the league for a variety of reasons, and knows he’ll need to be fully prepared for what the Bucs’ signal-caller can bring to the field.

“Baker’s doing a really nice job. The thing that sets him apart, where I’ve seen him grow as a quarterback, [is] how he escapes the pocket. Whether that’s keeping his eyes downfield to find open receivers or just scrambling to get the first down. He does a really great job. He’s gutsy, he has everything you want. Quarterback, tough guy, he scrambles to make plays; running and pass.”

Over the course of his NFL career, the former Browns quarterback has recorded two wins and two losses against Houston. On Monday, he’ll look to tip that record in his favor.

The game plan to stop Mayfield

Throughout his NFL career, Mayfield has established himself as one of the most solid quarterbacks of his generation. Ryans knows he can’t leave anything to chance — even if stopping the former Oklahoma standout will be anything but easy.

“He scrambles to make plays, run and pass. So, you just have to play together,” Ryans said. “That’s what we preach all the time is the rush, staying after it, playing together, and our guys in coverage, we have to make sure we’re plastering and staying in coverage, covering the guys twice because we know he can escape from anywhere.”

CJ Stroud will be without one of his key weapons

The Houston Texans’ offense is facing a significant challenge with the prolonged absence of Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon. The team has placed Mixon on the Non-Football Injury list, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the season.

This is a major blow to a unit that was expected to lean on the RB’s ground game to complement quarterback C.J. Stroud’s passing attack. Following their opening-day struggles, concerns are mounting, especially after head coach DeMeco Ryans offered a cryptic update, with a major admission about Joe Mixon’s future with the team.

While the Texans have a solid depth chart, the void left by Mixon’s production and on-field presence will be difficult to fill.

The veteran running back was placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list to start the 2025–26 season, confirming that the former Bengals star will miss at least the first four games.

According to a report from ProFootballNetwork.com, Doctor of Physical Therapy and fantasy football injury analyst Jeff Mueller stated that he received concerning information from multiple sources regarding Mixon’s situation. Following that, Ryans acknowledged that he will have to move forward with the roster currently available to him.

“We’re rolling with the guys that are here. That’s the main thing,” the HC explained. “We miss Joe, miss his energy, and his enthusiasm and everything he brought to our team. We continue to press forward and hope he’s doing well.”

Uncertainty surrounding Mixon’s availability

There’s been plenty of talk in recent hours about Joe Mixon’s situation and whether he’ll be able to take the field for the Texans at any point this season. Offering comments that did little to clear up the picture, general manager Nick Caserio addressed the next steps the team plans to take.

“We’ll see. We’ll take it one day at a time. We’ll evaluate those players after four weeks and see where they are in their progression and then make a determination,” he said to the press.

Texans’ options for C.J. Stroud

The Houston Texans’ offense will have to adapt to life without star running back Joe Mixon, but the cupboard is far from bare for quarterback CJ Stroud. The backfield now presents a fascinating mix of talent, headlined by the powerful, pro-bowl-caliber rusher Nick Chubb, whose downhill running style provides a proven, every-down threat.

Complementing him is the familiar hard-nosed physicality of Dameon Pierce, a reliable option who can grind out tough yards. The wild card in the group is rookie Woody Marks, who brings a burst of speed and versatility that could add a new dimension to the passing game.

This trio of diverse skill sets ensures that Stroud and the Texans‘ offense will remain formidable, even as they adjust to their new-look ground attack.

Joe Mixon was one of the best players on the Houston Texans last year. However, a gruesome injury has hampered his career lately. Now, CJ Stroud‘s offense just got hit with another piece of news regarding the running back.

Per the team’s X account, Mixon will be placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list. This means he will only begin to practice and play after the fourth game of the season.

This basically means that Mixon could play for the first time in Week 7, given that the team’s bye week is in Week 6. It’s likely that the team rests him until after the bye to ensure his availability. Best-case scenario is he lines up along CJ Stroud until their game at Seattle.

Who is Mixon’s backup?

With Mixon out, the Texans need someone to replace his 1,325 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns. That is not easy to do. Right now, the man who is next on the depth chart is veteran Nick Chubb. Now, if this was Chubb in his prime, no issue. However, Nick Chubb is playing after suffering one of the most gruesome knee injuries in recent memories.

Chubb will also turn 30 this year, which for a running back means way passed his prime. While the Texans camp is happy with Chubb’s output this offseason, it’s simply unrealistic to think he can take the workhorse load by himself. Chubb had five carries for 25 yards in the offseason.

Chubb will have help though

The third-now-second running back on the depth chart is Dameon Pierce, who is entering his fourth year. Pierce is one of the weirdest cases in the NFL. He had a stellar rookie season that saw him achieve 939 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. Then, he lost his starting spot as he only started seven games the following season and zero games in 2024.

At times, he got relegated to the special teams’ return unit. He only had one outing in preseason. Pierce got seven carries for 17 yards for a poor 2.4 yards per attempt. However, he will have to return to his rookie form if he wants to help the team.

The Texans have significantly improved in recent years, largely thanks to the arrival of C.J. Stroud in 2023. They’ve built a strong offense around their star quarterback, with Joe Mixon expected to be a crucial piece.

Unfortunately, Mixon may not be available for the season opener. He’s currently dealing with a foot injury, which could force the team to turn to their newest addition, Nick Chubb, as the starter.

DeMeco Ryans speaks clearly on Nick Chubb amid Joe Mixon’s uncertain status

Nick Chubb’s arrival in Houston sparked a mix of excitement and concern. Just a few years ago, this move would have been considered a blockbuster signing. Today, however, fans are wary due to his recent injury history.

Chubb suffered a major knee injury in 2023 that required multiple surgeries. Since then, he’s battled additional setbacks, which have naturally impacted his performance on the field.

As a result, the Browns chose not to re-sign him for 2025. Once he became a free agent, several teams expressed interest, but Chubb ultimately chose the Texans as his next destination.

Chubb knew he was coming in as a backup. However, with Mixon still recovering, the veteran may be called upon to start in Week 1. According to DeMeco Ryans, the team is confident Chubb can rise to the occasion and regain his top form.

“Nick has been consistent. He’s done a really good job,” HC DeMeco Ryans told reporters. “I see a very physical runner when he has the football in his hand. He does a really nice job in protection schemes and of staying square, picking up the blitzes from the defenders. He’s just all around solid, consistent. He’s gotten better every day that he’s been here.”

Can Joe Mixon be ready for Week 1?

Right now, Joe Mixon is listed as “out” on the team’s depth chart. He sustained a foot injury in July that has already ruled him out for the entire preseason and left his Week 1 status in serious doubt.

While Nick Chubb is expected to carry the load if Mixon can’t go, there’s no question that Mixon is still considered the RB1. However, rushing his return could risk further injury and jeopardize his availability for the rest of the season.

However, given Stroud’s potential and the pieces surrounding him on the roster, expectations have grown. Division titles will no longer be enough and Houston now has to take the next big step.

That means aiming to reach the Super Bowl by getting past rivals like the Kansas City Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Buffalo Bills. In recent years, DeMeco Ryans’ team has shown it’s getting close, and now is the time to make a statement.

Who got injured with Texans?

Joe Mixon got injured with the Houston Texans and, according to a report from Ian Rapoport, all signs point to the star running back being out for an extended period of time. It’s highly likely he won’t be ready for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

“RB Joe Mixon, who is on the non-football injury list, is expected to be out an extended period of time with a frustrating foot injury, sources say. The Pro Bowler coming off a 1,000-yard season will be reevaluated closer to the season to determine his availability.”

How long is Joe Mixon out with Texans?

Although Rapoport didn’t provide an exact timeline for how much longer Joe Mixon will be out, the insider warned that his availability for Week 1 is in jeopardy and that everything will depend on an evaluation next month.

“He’s dealing with that foot injury. He has been on a walking boot. He’s been dealing with this actually for the last several months. My understanding is extended period of time and he’ll be reevaluated closer to Week 1. So, yeah, I would say there’s a chance that Joe Mixon is not on the field Week 1 for the Texans. They signed Nick Chubb. They have other several running backs, but, certainly, some questions surrounding Joe Mixon’s availability.”

The referees were accused of favoring the Chiefs with a couple of penalties against the Texans for making contact with Mahomes, and the league office took action against some of the accusations.

The NFL, for instance, handed Texans running back Joe Mixon―a key weapon for Stroud―a $25,000 fine for his comments about officiating after the game. But the player appealed, and after the hearing process on January 30, the NFL rescinded the fine.

In a letter to Mixon obtained by ESPN, appeals officer Chris Palmer explained: “After reviewing the totality of the evidence, I find that you did not necessarily publicly criticize the officials.

“During the appeal hearing, you stated what you meant by your statements referring to the officials,” Palmer continued. “As you know, statements can be interpreted differently by every individual and it seems like you clearly understand the weight and detriment of public criticism towards officials can be, given how impactful your platform is as a player, which I appreciate.”

What did Joe Mixon say and why did the NFL fine him after the Texans’ playoff loss to Chiefs?

“Everybody knows how it is playing up here. You can never leave it into the refs’ hands,” Mixon said after the Texans’ loss to the Chiefs in January, via the Associated Press. “The whole world sees, man, what it is. When it comes down to it, you can never leave it into the refs’ hands. It’s all good, though.”

Those were Mixon’s comments. However, the NFL initially fined Stroud’s teammate for something he didn’t actually say. The original fine mentioned a post made former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh, who wrote: “Why play the game if every 50/50 call goes with Chiefs. These officials are (trash) & (biased).”

First, Mixon was fined $25,000 for Houshmandzadeh’s post―which was wrongly credited to Mixon in a Sports Illustrated article (the mistake was later rectified). The NFL issued the fine based on the “50/50” quote, according to Mixon and his agent, Peter Schaffer.

Hours later, the league office reinstated the fine for the comments Mixon had actually made after the Texans’ loss in Kansas City. Mixon took to social media to complain about this situation.

“So let me get this straight NFL fines me 25k for something I didn’t even say. Call them out for it, and they response was fine me AGAIN for something that’s not even a violation without even rescinding the first one,” the 28-year-old wrote on X. “Where’s the accountability? Just respect the players.”

NFL rescinds another fine on Texans player after playoff game vs Chiefs

Another teammate of Stroud who caught the league office’s attention was Will Anderson Jr. The Texans defensive end was penalized for a hit on Mahomes on third-and-eight that led to a Chiefs field goal, and he later complained.

“We knew it was going to be us versus the refs going into this game,” said Anderson, who also received a $25,000 for that comment. But according to The Athletic and ESPN, his appeal proved successful, just like Mixon’s.

The former Cincinnati Bengals player was fined $25,000 by the league for saying, ‘Why play the game if every 50/50 call goes with the Chiefs? These officials are trash and biased,’ after the game. Due to this, Mixon took to his social media to express a strong rebuttal.

“I’m getting fined by the @nfl for what someone else said. What’s next? I get fined by them for Connor McDavid cross checking an opponent on a @nhl game!,” the running back stated via @Joe_MainMixon.

As reported by the site clutchpoints.com, the words that the player actually said were: “Everybody know how it is playing up here. You can never leave it into the refs hands. The whole world see, man.”

According to the information provided by the site, Mixon‘s agent, Peter Schaffer, will appeal the fine, and it is believed that the authorities will likely overturn it. As a result, the Texans player will probably not be fined.

Ryans’ defense after the game against the Chiefs

The Houston Texans‘ camp knew it wouldn’t be easy to pull off a win against the Chiefs at Arrowhead. Not only because of the talent on Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid’s team, but also due to all the speculation surrounding the officiating calls.

Once the game was over and the elimination of CJ Stroud‘s team was confirmed, it was head coach DeMeco Ryans himself who, in statements to the press, made his stance clear regarding what had happened with the referees.

“We knew going into this game that it was us vs. everybody,” the HC started. “Going with what we were up against, we can’t make the mistakes that we made. Self-inflicted mistakes, Special teams, not converting kicks. We didn’t protect the quarterback.”

Will Anderson also spoke out about it: “We knew it was going to be us against the refs going into this game. I talked to you guys earlier this week, and I was just saying, like, man, we gotta go out there, and we’ve got to do us better. And, you know, in some instances we didn’t do that. In some instances, we did. We’ve just gotta keep going, man. Next offseason, we get the guys together, and everybody just coming together and keep building that team chemistry to get passed this hump.”