What Happened to Joseph Tyler Mixon?
Joe Mixon is an American professional football running back known for his impactful play and a history of legal controversies. After seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, he was traded to the Houston Texans in 2024, where he played one successful season before missing the entire 2025 season due to a mysterious foot/ankle injury. As of May 2026, Mixon is a free agent, with his NFL future uncertain due to his health and undisclosed injury details.
Quick Answer
Joe Mixon was released by the Houston Texans on March 6, 2026, after missing the entire 2025 NFL season due to an undisclosed foot/ankle injury. He reportedly requested the release, which saved the Texans $8 million in cap space. As of May 7, 2026, Mixon remains an unsigned free agent, with significant questions surrounding his health and ability to return to a meaningful role in the NFL for the upcoming 2026 season.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline11 events
Misdemeanor Assault Charge and Oklahoma Suspension
While at the University of Oklahoma, Mixon was charged with misdemeanor assault for punching a woman and was suspended from the football team for the entire 2014 season.
Drafted by Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round (48th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Signs Four-Year Extension with Bengals
Mixon signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, keeping him with the team through the 2024 season.
First Pro Bowl Selection and Super Bowl Appearance
Mixon had a career-high 1,205 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and helping the Bengals reach Super Bowl LVI.
Aggravated Menacing Charge Filed
Mixon was initially charged with aggravated menacing for allegedly pointing a gun at a woman during a traffic incident. The charge was later refiled after initial dismissal.
Found Not Guilty of Aggravated Menacing
A Hamilton County Municipal Court judge found Joe Mixon not guilty of the aggravated menacing charge after a four-day bench trial.
Traded to Houston Texans and Contract Extension
Mixon was traded from the Cincinnati Bengals to the Houston Texans for a seventh-round pick and immediately signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension through the 2026 season.
Successful First Season with Texans, Second Pro Bowl
In his first season with the Texans, Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning his second Pro Bowl selection.
Misses Entire Season Due to Injury
Joe Mixon missed the entire 2025 NFL season due to an undisclosed foot/ankle injury, which Texans GM Nick Caserio called a 'freak thing.'
Released by Houston Texans
The Houston Texans released Joe Mixon, reportedly at his request, a move that saved the team $8 million in cap space.
Remains Unsigned Free Agent
As of today, Joe Mixon remains an unsigned free agent, with his NFL future uncertain due to his health and the mysterious nature of his 2025 injury.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Joseph Tyler Mixon, born July 24, 1996, rose to prominence as a talented running back, but his career has been marked by both on-field success and off-field legal troubles. His collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma began with a year-long suspension in 2014 due to a misdemeanor assault charge.
Mixon was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He quickly became a key offensive weapon for the Bengals, achieving multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons and earning Pro Bowl selections. His most productive year with the Bengals was in 2021, when he rushed for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns, helping lead the team to Super Bowl LVI.
In 2023, Mixon faced further legal scrutiny when he was charged with aggravated menacing in a traffic dispute, though he was later found not guilty. That same year, his name was also involved in a civil lawsuit stemming from a shooting incident near his Cincinnati home.
In March 2024, after seven seasons with the Bengals, Mixon was traded to the Houston Texans for a seventh-round pick and subsequently signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension. He had a successful first season with the Texans in 2024, rushing for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning another Pro Bowl invite.
However, his tenure with the Texans took an unexpected turn in 2025. Mixon sustained a mysterious foot/ankle injury before the start of the season, which general manager Nick Caserio described as a 'freak thing.' He was placed on the Non-Football Injury list and ultimately missed the entire 2025 season, with little clarity provided on the nature or recovery timeline of his injury.
As of March 6, 2026, the Houston Texans released Joe Mixon, a move that was widely anticipated given his missed season and the team's acquisition of David Montgomery. Mixon reportedly requested the release, which saved the Texans $8 million in salary cap space. Currently, on May 7, 2026, Joe Mixon remains an unsigned free agent. His health status is a major concern, and his ability to return to an effective role in the NFL for the 2026 season is highly uncertain, with some analysts speculating about potential backup roles if he can get healthy.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Joseph Tyler Mixon made different choices?