The Houston Texans have navigated the entire 2025 season thus far without the services of wide receiver Tank Dell and running back Joe Mixon.
Dell has been on the shelf since late last season after suffering a catastrophic knee injury that requires a lengthy rehab process.
Meanwhile, Mixon has been on the non-football injury list since the offseason after suffering an unspecified foot injury.
With the playoffs right around the corner, here's what we know about Dell's and Mixon's chances of suiting up at some point in 2025.
Will Tank Dell play this season?
Dell is not expected to play this season.
Dell suffered a dislocated knee cap in Week 16 last season. On top of that, Dell tore his ACL, MCL, LCL and sustained damage to his meniscus, which is just about the worst possible combination of injuries he could have suffered.
While general manager Nick Caserio never ruled Dell out from playing this season, there hasn't been even an inkling of a suggestion the talented young wideout would return at some point this season.
Unfortunately, it looks like we'll have to wait until the 2026 campaign to see Dell on the field again.
Will Joe Mixon play this season?
Mixon is not expected to play this season, either.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Mixon is expected to remain on the NFI list through the end of the campaign.
"Texans RB Joe Mixon is not expected to play this season as he deals with a foot injury from the offseason," Rapoport said in November. "Mixon likely remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list through the season."
However, there is a glimmer of hope for Mixon yet, as he pushed back on the NFL Network insider's report not long after.
"Now, I get everyone’s looking for splash news and clickbait," Mixon stated in response to Rapoport's post. "But I’m just curious, Ian how do you know more about me than me?"
It's nice to see the shred of hope Mixon has, but there hasn't been any indication he is going to play this season, so we wouldn't expect to see him again until the 2026 campaign.
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