Joe Mixon is officially back in the NFL.
After a workout on Monday, the former Houston Texans Pro Bowl running back is signing a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. Knowing how bad the running back room is for Seattle entering October, Mixon could make his 2026 debut and first reps on a football field in 21 months as soon as this Sunday when the Seahawks take on the San Francisco 49ers.
Seattle recently placed rookie running back Jadarian Price on injured reserve following Week 3's matchup against the Washington Commanders and opened the window for veteran Zach Charbonnet to return to practice.
Mixon, Houston's last great running back, missed all of the 2025 season with a foot injury that he suffered during the offseason. Missing the season wasn't
the shocking part. The reason why, however, was.
All last season, both Texans coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio were highly secretive about Mixon's condition, often saying "he's progressing" or providing "no update at the time" comments about the starting running back.
Seahawks signing RB Joe Mixon. (via @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/cNUVM5gEj6
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2026
Because of his departure, the run game was depleted. Houston averaged less than four yards per carry behind a combination of Woody Marks and Nick Chubb, with the rookie out of USC eventually becoming the focal point of the offensive ground game.
In the offseason, Mixon was released following the trade of Pro Bowl running back David Montgomery from Detroit. He had one year remaining on his three-year, $27 million extension signed in 2024 after being traded to Houston from Cincinnati.
After missing all of last season, many believed that Mixon's career might be over entering his 30s while dealing with what was described as a foot issue. But he recently posted a video of a workout on Saturday that ended with him stating, "I’m back, baby!”
😤⌛️@ononesock pic.twitter.com/seJczjDUuz
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) October 3, 2026
A former 2017 second-round pick out of Oklahoma, Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards with Houston in 2024, becoming the first 1,000-yard runner since Carlos Hyde in 2019. For his efforts, he was named to his second Pro Bowl roster.
Before that, Mixon spent seven seasons with the Bengals, rushing for 1,000 or more yards four times, and making the Pro Bowl in 2021. He was also the lead back for Cincinnati in its Super Bowl appearance against the Los Angeles Rams in 2021.
Fans wondered if the Texans would ever call back Mixon for a reunion if healthy. So far, Houston's ground game hasn't improved, but has rather regressed since last season under second-year play-caller Nick Caley. Entering Sunday's matchup on the road, Houston ranks 30th in rushing yards (79.0 yards per game) and 29th in yards per attempt (3.5).
The Texans have four total rushing touchdowns, two from each starter.
Kickoff in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans is scheduled for Noon on CBS.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Former Texans Pro Bowl RB Joe Mixon back, signs one-year deal with Seahawks
