Sportsnaut
Last year, the Houston Texans scrambled a bit at the running back position. They signed four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, who had been coming off back-to-back down seasons after suffering a torn MCL as well as additional damage to his ACL.
While he started nine games, Chubb produced just 506 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and he’s still a free agent, which is an indication that teams aren’t exactly itching to hand him a featured role again. Meanwhile, the Texans found themselves often leaning on fourth-round rookie Woody Marks instead, who actually led the team with 703 rushing yards while making eight starts. Now, Marks is likely looking at a similar role in Houston after the team traded for David Montgomery.
Meanwhile, another former Texans Pro Bowl running back may be headed for retirement.
Related: Predicting 1 Breakout Candidate for All 32 NFL Teams in 2026
One reason the Texans turned to Chubb in the first place is that they were waiting on Joe Mixon to return from injury. The former Bengals and Texans running back missed the entire 2025 season with an undisclosed foot injury that is still shrouded in mystery. The team has never revealed how it happened. Neither has Mixon.
Now, as NFL training camps are ramping up all across the nation, KPRC-2’s Aaron Wilson is reporting that Mixon’s career may be over at the age of 29.
Mixon reportedly recently had another surgery on the foot, which he says has had “blood flow” issues. If Mixon is done, he’ll end his NFL career having played eight seasons, rushing for 7,428 yards and 60 touchdowns. Yet, as Wilson adds, there’s still “some hope” for a return.
Related: Houston Texans Insider Reveals Team’s Likelihood of Adding All-Pro
More must-reads:
