Houston Texans Released Veteran Running Back Joe Mixon
The Texans parted ways with the veteran during the 2026 offseason following his injury-plagued tenure.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Football
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The Houston Texans released Joe Mixon during the 2026 offseason. The decision followed the running back's absence for the entire 2025 season due to a foot injury.
Why it matters
The move marks the end of Mixon's time in Houston, where he had signed a three-year, $27.5 million contract extension after being acquired in a 2024 trade.
Mixon accumulated 7,428 career rushing yards and 60 rushing touchdowns over his career, earning $55.4 million in total. The Houston Texans take on a $2 million dead cap hit for the 2026 season.
The players
Joe Mixon
He is a veteran NFL running back who recorded over 7,400 career rushing yards after being drafted in 2017.
Houston Texans
This professional football franchise is based in Houston and competes in the AFC South division.
Cincinnati Bengals
This professional football organization is based in Ohio and originally drafted Mixon into the league.
The details
Mixon, who turned 30 in July 2026, was originally selected with the 48th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. His departure from the team concludes a tenure that began with a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024.
Timeline
Joe Mixon was drafted by the Bengals in 2017.
The Bengals traded Mixon to the Texans during the 2024 offseason.
Mixon missed the 2025 season due to a foot injury.
Mixon turned 30 years old in July 2026.
The Texans released Joe Mixon during the 2026 offseason.
Season Trajectory
The move reflects a broader trend of NFL franchises prioritizing salary cap flexibility by parting ways with veteran players facing injury uncertainty. This transaction impacts Houston's roster depth as the team navigates the financial implications of the 2026 cap environment.
The Texans are now officially free of the $2 million dead cap hit associated with the player following the 2026 season. The roster vacancy necessitates a shift in the team's backfield rotation strategy for future games.
The takeaway
Teams frequently leverage contract releases to mitigate long-term cap risks when veteran production is halted by injury. Managing these financial commitments is essential for maintaining roster flexibility in the modern NFL.
Further reading
For more on the current team roster, see Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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