HOUSTON – Although Texans Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon has missed the past two practices with a tight hamstring, the team isn’t worried about his outlook.
Mixon is being held out of practice as a precautionary measure. The Texans signed veteran running back Cam Akers on Sunday to add depth to the position with Mixon sidelined.
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“Joe will be fine,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Joe may miss a little time, but he’ll be fine. Joe is [as tough] as the toughest competitor we have, so I’m not worried about Joe. He’ll be fine. No issues there.”
Signed to a three-year, $27 million contract extension after being acquired in a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick, Mixon was off to a fast start with the Texans before this injury. He has established himself as a team leader and one of the top players on a talented offense.
“He’s a fun, fun person to coach,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said Saturday. “I understand now why he was as good as he was at Cincinnati. He puts in an immense amount of work. He loves football. He does not stop wanting to learn, wanting to grow, which, again, just fits in with everyone else that we have. And he’s all-in on he’s going to do whatever it takes to win.
“He would love to be used as a passing threat. He would love to be a protector. He would love when he carries the rock. He loves when he’s a decoy. I mean, he just loves all of it. He’s been an absolute joy in every regard to coach. He’s a really fun personality.”
And Mixon, a former Bengals second-round draft pick from Oklahoma, is settling into a featured role with the defending AFC South champions.
“I feel very comfortable with where I’m at,” Mixon said. “I think my role in the offense is very unique, and I’m definitely embracing everything that comes with it.”
Mixon is signed to a deal that includes $13 million guaranteed with a $10 million payout in the first year of his new contract.
The Texans were in need of a proven running back after being outbid by the Philadelphia Eagles for running back Saquon Barkley. They bid three-years and a bit north of $33 million on Barkley, but he signed for significantly more money with the Eagles. He signed a three-year, $46.75 million maximum value deal with the Eagles with a base value of $37.75 million and $26 million fully guaranteed.
Then, the Texans lost starting running back Devin “Motor” Singletary in free agency to the New York Giants, Barkley’s former team, as they made him an offer averaging $4 million. He got a three-year, $19.5 million deal from the Giants.
So, the Texans pivoted to Mixon who had four 1,000-yard seasons in seven years in Cincinnati
He rushed for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021 when the Bengals reached the Super Bowl. At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, Mixon is known for his power, moves and speed. He has rushed for 6,412 career yards and a 4.1 average with 49 touchdown runs and caught 284 passes for 2,139 yards and 13 scores. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.
For a running game that ranked 23rd in the NFL last season, Mixon represents a clear upgrade with his strength, elusiveness and pass-catching skills.
“I definitely feel like with what we have here, we’ve got the right things stirring and cooking, and we’ve just got to make sure we bring everybody along the way to being on the road to greatness,” Mixon said. “In terms of with the offense, I think that we’ve just got to do whatever we can to take care of the football, make plays, and obviously come with that intensity each and every week. I think that we’ll be happy with the results that we get.
“I feel great being in this here situation. Got a great group of guys around me. Talked to the coaches, and just where they see me playing in this here offense is definitely exciting times, man, so I just can’t wait to get going.”
The Texans’ offense is headlined by quarterback C.J. Stroud, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year who boosted the team to an AFC South championship and a playoff victory over the Cleveland Browns. He’s the trigger of a high-powered passing game. Having the balance of Mixon pounding the football could send Slowik’s offense to a new level.
“C.J. is a phenomenal player,” Mixon said. “Obviously he was the Rookie of the Year, and that ain’t by no fluke. I think that we have a great group of guys in this here locker room. I was talking with DeMeco, and there’s a lot of guys running around, young, don’t know no better and ready to get after it. I’ve definitely been fortunate to be a part of something like that, so it’s a great thing coming into this situation and basically picking up where I left off. Definitely in a great position here, and definitely excited to start with my new beginnings.”
A California native, Mixon has scored 29 total touchdowns over the past three seasons.
When he joined the Bengals, they weren’t a contender. The Texans engineered a dramatic turnaround last season behind Ryans’ leadership, an offense led by Stroud and key roster moves from general manager Nick Caserio, the architect of the rebuilding after going 11-38-1 in the previous three seasons before going 11-8 last season.
Perhaps Mixon can provide the final piece to a team that could make a deep playoff run, maybe even chase a Super Bowl.
“I think these guys they’re young, they fly around, they make plays, and I think that where I could come in is bringing part of that attitude and getting the guys to come along and being able to make plays and finish the job and get over the hump,” Mixon said. “That’s what they brought me in for, and I firmly feel like I’ll be able to get the job done and make things happen. I look forward to it, and I’m ready to get after it, honestly.”
After the Bengals moved on from him, Mixon was energized by his lengthy conversation with Ryans, a dynamic leader.
To feel wanted again was significant for Mixon
“When I talked to DeMeco, it was a hell of a feeling, man,” Mixon said. “It was like me feeling like I want to be here, like he embraced me, and he made me feel like I’m wanted. I love that about him. He was once a player, as well, and I think that with what he brings in terms of his intensity and him wanting to be around a great group of men. He pretty much leads by example, and if you see him, he’s very enthusiastic on the sideline. He’s jumping up and down while his players are making plays. Who wouldn’t want to play for a guy like that?
“I definitely feel like I’m here, I fit the culture and what they do and what they want to bring. It’s definitely a humbling time to be here, and I’m definitely ready and excited for this new beginning for sure. The things they’ve got cooking here, the city, they should definitely be exciting because it’s nothing but exciting things to be excited about. I think what we’ve got here cooking right now is on the right track, and there’s a lot of things to look forward to.”
In seven seasons, Mixon has rushed for 6,412 yards, 49 touchdowns and averaged 4.1 yards per carry. He has caught 283 passes for 2,139 yards and 13 touchdowns.
He was team captain each of the past three seasons with the Bengals.
“When I speak, I lead and speak with the command,” Mixon said. “Guys listen and they feed off of me. I’m going to just continue to be the same person that I’ve been since I walked in out there when I was 20 years old. Always been a leader, lead by example. And I do be a vocal leader, as well. I think that they’re definitely getting a playmaker, and I think the way things are being explained in the meetings that they’re willing to showcase everything that I can do, which has been exciting.
“I’ve been waiting for this a long time, and I can’t wait to make the most of every opportunity that I can because I just know the type of player that I am and the guys that’s around here and the supporting cast around, I think that I definitely could take this thing to the next level. With the quarterback we’ve got in CJ, like I said, he’s phenomenal, and I know for a fact he’s going to make that next jump, and that’s in terms of them playoff wins. I think Houston got nothing but great things coming their way, and to be proud with everything that we’re building here.”
NOTES: The Texans activated cornerback and special-teams ace D’Angelo Ross and reserve linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips from the active physically unable to perform list as both players practiced Monday. Starting fullback Andrew Beck (strained calf) remains on the PUP list. Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil (offseason arthroscopic knee surgery) and linebacker Christian Harris (soft-tissue injury) didn’t practice. .. Akers practiced for the first time after being added following a successful workout. A former Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams starter, Akers is healthy again after tearing his Achilles tendon last season after previously tearing his Achilles in 2021. “We’ve added Cam, and we’ll see if we can compete,” Ryans said. ... Wide receiver Jared Wayne was waived-injured and is subject to waivers. If he clears waivers, he’ll revert to injured reserve. Wayne spent time on the Texans’ practice squad last season after being signed as an undrafted free agent from Pitt. ... Texans defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. has made a major impression on the coaching staff. He’s been dominant at times in drills. “He shows up intense every day, locked in and asking, ‘Coach, how can I get better?’ Ryans said. “You show up with that mindset, it’s easy for us to coach you. Mario has done a great job for what we’ve asked him to do. Little scheme change, and he’s taken to it well.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
