Joe Mixon could be making a comeback.
According to reports, the former Houston Texans Pro Bowl running back is not only cleared to return to football activities but is also visiting the Seattle Seahawks and could play in 2026. Seattle recently placed rookie running back Jadarian Price on injured reserve following Week 3's matchup against the Washington Commanders.
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.
Free agent RB Joe Mixon is working out for the Seahawks this afternoon, per source. pic.twitter.com/3lIrp1mXCl
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) 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.
The Texans, who currently ranked 31st in rushing, take on the Tennessee Titans this Sunday in Nashville at Nissan Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Report: Former Pro Bowl RB Joe Mixon visits with Seahawks after weird ending with Texans
