There's a roster crunch coming across the NFL, but the Houston Texans have a trickier decision to make than just who to cut at the back end of their 53-man roster.
They've got to figure out what to do with star running back Joe Mixon.
Mixon is currently on the non-football injury list after sustaining a foot injury while away from the team earlier this offseason.
The Texans have to decide by Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET whether Mixon will be on their initial 53-man roster.
If the Texans keep Mixon on the NFI list, then he has to miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
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Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans was asked about Mixon's status Monday, but he didn't say much.
“Most of our decision roster-wise will be made tomorrow, so no update on those decisions,” Ryans said.
Mixon was brilliant in 2024, his first season away from Cincinnati. He played in 14 games for the Texans and had 245 carries for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 36 passes for 309 yards and another score.
Now 29 years old, Mixon was expected to continue to lead the backfield.
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In his absence, Nick Chubb assumes the RB1 role. He signed this offseason as a free agent, leaving the Browns for the first time.
The Texans also have Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, fourth-round rookie Woody Marks and undrafted rookie Jawhar Jordan.
They'd obviously like Mixon back, but there's decent depth to withstand a four-game absence if that's what ends up happening with the NFI vs. 53-man roster decision.
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