Texans GM Nick Caserio offers noncommittal response about RB Joe Mixon's return

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By A. Kazmierczak | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 12:46 PM ET

Among the several roster moves the Houston Texans made on Tuesday, the team officially placed running back Joe Mixon on the reserve/non-football injury list. While expected, the move makes him ineligible to play in the Texans first four games this season.

As for when the star running back is expected to return this season, not even Texans GM Nick Caserio knows.

"Yeah, we'll see," Caserio told media members Wednesday morning when asked about whether Mixon plays this season. "We'll take it one day at a time, and we'll evaluate those players after four weeks and kind of see where they are in their progression and then make a determination."

Mixon, 29, missed the entire preseason with what has been described as a foot/ankle injury. It not only remains a mystery as to how he suffered the injury, but when or even if the Texans star running back will return.

Last season, his first season with the club, Mixon carried the ball 245 times for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns. He added 36 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown on the way to earning Pro Bowl honors.

Nick Chubb likely to start season opener against Rams

As for replacing the team's bell cow, Caserio is confident the five running backs that made the team's 53-man roster - Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, Woody Marks and British Brooks - have what it takes to offset the loss.

"We feel the players that are on the team right now can help us, otherwise they wouldn't be here." he said. "We're going to probably need everybody at some point."

"Whoever's in the building, the expectation is that you're going to prepare each week and get ready to play, and that you can help our team."

While no depth chart has been released, Chubb, who signed with the Texans in June, is expected to be the starter in Week 1 with Pierce, Ogunbowale, Marks and Brooks backing him up. The Texans open the season on Sunday, September 7 at the Los Angeles Rams.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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