Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon will miss the first four games of the 2025 NFL season due to an ankle injury sustained during the offseason. The team has officially moved Mixon to the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list, which prevents him from playing until after their fourth game of the regular season. The injury, which has delayed his return, follows a productive 2024 campaign where Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning him Pro Bowl recognition.
To address the short-term absence, the Texans have brought in veteran running back Nick Chubb and drafted USC’s Woody Marks, adding depth to the backfield in anticipation of Mixon’s potential return later in the season. Chubb, who will turn 30 in December, played only eight games last season, rushing for 332 yards with three touchdowns on 102 attempts. His 2023 season was cut short by a severe leg injury, which sidelined him for most of the year.
Prior to the injury, Chubb had been on a trajectory for multiple Pro Bowl selections, as he posted 1,525 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns for the Cleveland Browns in 2022. The Texans’ decision to sign him reflects their strategy to bolster the running game with proven talent while they await Mixon’s potential return.
The team also secured another potential future piece by drafting Woody Marks in the fourth round out of USC. Marks, who ran for 1,133 yards on 198 attempts with nine rushing touchdowns and added 321 receiving yards on 47 catches, brings both experience and promise to the roster. With Mixon still hoping to return after the initial four-game absence, the Texans have positioned themselves to remain competitive despite the setback.