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Will Joe Mixon still be the starting running back next year for the Texans in 2026? Mitch looks at the latest Joe Mixon injury return timeline and 2026 fantasy outlook.
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon has yet to see the field after suffering a non-football injury this offseason.
The likelihood that Mixon returns this season is rapidly decreasing, but the star running back is still under contract for 2026.
Will Mixon be back before the end of the season, and if not, will he remain the RB1 for the Texans next season?
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Will Joe Mixon Start For The Texans In 2026?
Joe Mixon will not return in 2025, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. The realization that this would probably be the case has been building for weeks as there has been scant news about Mixon's potential return.
Mixon attacked Rapoport in response and suggested his agent give the reporter a call.
Now, I get everyone’s looking for splash news & clickbait… but I’m just curious, Ian how do you know more about me than me? 🤔
@peterjschaffer get yo mans bro. https://t.co/5G6e6rWtAT
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) November 20, 2025
But if Mixon knows more about his timetable, he hasn't been saying, there could be a path in which he returns late this season. There's been almost no news about him since his mysterious injury was revealed. The last statement Mixon made on X was a complaint about being fined on January 23. (The fine was later rescinded on appeal.)
With rookie Woody Marks and veteran Nick Chubb doing a solid job sharing the backfield duties for the Texans, there's no great pressure to bring Mixon back. Earlier this week, RotoBaller's Andy Smith recommended that Mixon should be dropped in redraft leagues. But what about in dynasty?
Mixon will be 30 next season and will be in the last year of his contract. The Texans can save about $8 million if they get rid of him this offseason. They are also not obligated to pay his full salary this season because his injury took place outside of football activities.
Mixon didn't look like he had lost a step last season, but running backs can fall off a cliff quickly. Whatever problems he suffered with his foot injury would only make matters worse. The Texans' RB depth chart is otherwise thin. Nick Chubb is a free agent in 2026. Behind him is Dare Ogunbowale, who has had just three carries this season and is also going to be free agent.
If the Texans don't keep Mixon, they'll either have to draft a running back or sign a free agent in a class that is expected to include Breece Hall, Travis Etienne Jr., Jr., Najee Harris, Austin Ekeler, Javonte Williams, and Rico Dowdle.
Even if the Texans keep Mixon, Woody Marks will probably remain Houston's RB1 ahead of Mixon.
Joe Mixon 2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
Mixon ran for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns on 245 carries last season. That level of production was on par or better than his typical season. He ranked 15th in the league in rushing yards and eleventh in touchdowns.
Woody Marks takes the pass 50 yards!
SFvsHOU on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/fgVqUTFCj9
— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025
His advanced metrics were strong enough, too. His PFF grade was 74.4, and his yards after contact per attempt, 2.92, was higher than his career average of 2.80.
With all of that said, fantasy managers have no idea how Mixon will look when he plays again. Even if he were healthy, he would face the typical trials and tribulations of aging.
With the injury he has faced appearing to be quite serious based on how long it is taking for him to rehab, Mixon could have lost a step or two.
Mixon's 2026 outlook depends on which team he's playing for and whether he is the starter for that team. In a vacuum, he's not a player to be excited about.
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Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some common Week 13 fantasy football lineup decisions are regarding players like Kyle Monangai, Sean Tucker, Wan'Dale Robinson, Troy Franklin, Courtland Sutton, Woody Marks. But not to worry, we are here to help make these decisions and build winning lineups in Week 13. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups for Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season. Our free Who Should I Start? tool will help make your fantasy football lineup decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to start... all free! Get your winning lineups set, and make the right decisions.
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Popular Week 13 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 13 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Kyle Monangai, Sean Tucker, Wan'Dale Robinson, Troy Franklin, Courtland Sutton, Woody Marks compared to others:
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