Joe Mixon Injury Update: Texans RB Still Without Return Timetable Ahead of Week 7

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon remains sidelined as the team prepares for Week 7, with no official timetable set for his return from an offseason ankle injury. The star rusher, who was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to start the season, has yet to make his 2025 debut despite being eligible to return since Week 5.

Mixon’s prolonged absence continues to be a major storyline for Houston, which has struggled to find consistency in its backfield without him. While team officials remain hopeful about his recovery, the uncertainty surrounding his return has fantasy managers and Texans fans growing increasingly concerned.

No Return Date for Joe Mixon as Texans Await Ankle Recovery Progress

Mixon sustained the ankle injury during the offseason, keeping him out of all preseason activities and forcing the Texans to begin the regular season without their top running back. He was expected to potentially return after Week 4, but as the team enters Week 7 following a bye, Mixon remains unavailable and is likely to miss his sixth straight game.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio offered an update last week, revealing that Mixon is “making progress” in his rehab but stopped short of offering a specific return date. Caserio noted that the team hopes to have a clearer picture of Mixon’s long-term outlook in the coming weeks, but for now, the uncertainty persists.

Houston’s rushing attack has been serviceable in Mixon’s absence but far from dominant. The Texans rank 16th in the NFL in rushing through six games, with Nick Chubb and Woody Marks splitting the workload. Chubb leads the team with 249 yards on 58 carries, while Marks has shown flashes — including a breakout 27.9-point fantasy performance against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4.

Despite a convincing 44-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6, Houston’s offense is still missing the balance and explosiveness Mixon brought during his standout 2024 campaign. His absence is especially felt in the red zone and short-yardage situations, areas where he excelled last season.

Fantasy Outlook and Team Implications Without Mixon

From a fantasy football perspective, Mixon remains a valuable stash option for managers hoping he can return later in the season. However, if updates over the next few weeks continue to indicate uncertainty, he could become a potential drop candidate in shallower leagues.

For the Texans, the lack of clarity around Mixon’s recovery timeline complicates their offensive planning. Houston’s passing game has shown improvement, but without a proven workhorse in the backfield, the team risks becoming one-dimensional as it tries to climb back into playoff contention.

Should Mixon’s absence extend deeper into the season, the Texans may need to explore trade options or lean more heavily on their committee approach with Chubb and Marks. Either scenario underscores how significant Mixon’s return — or continued absence — could be for Houston’s postseason hopes.

Joe Mixon’s ankle injury remains one of the Texans’ biggest storylines heading into Week 7. Until the team provides a concrete update, both Houston and fantasy managers will have to continue waiting and hoping for positive news on the star running back’s recovery.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: When is Joe Mixon expected to return for the Texans?

There is currently no official timetable for Mixon’s return. The team expects more clarity in the coming weeks as he continues his ankle rehab.

Q2: What kind of injury is Joe Mixon dealing with?

Mixon is recovering from an ankle injury suffered during the offseason, which kept him out of preseason and the first six weeks of the 2025 season.

Q3: Who is replacing Joe Mixon in the Texans’ backfield?

Nick Chubb and Woody Marks have split carries in Mixon’s absence, with Marks delivering a standout performance in Week 4 against Tennessee.

Q4: How has Houston’s offense performed without Mixon?

The Texans rank 16th in rushing through six games and have shown inconsistency on the ground, though they posted a 44-10 win over Baltimore in Week 6.

Q5: Should fantasy managers keep Joe Mixon on their rosters?

For now, Mixon is a valuable stash option. However, extended absence beyond Week 7 could make him a drop candidate in some fantasy formats.