Texans Begin Pivotal Week 12 Amid Confusion Over Joe Mixon’s Status

The Houston Texans open Week 12 under the bright lights of Thursday Night Football, carrying the momentum of back-to-back victories that have brought them back to an even 5-5. Those wins over Jacksonville and Tennessee have kept Houston within reach of the AFC playoff picture, even as inconsistencies continue to define its season.

Despite their climb, the Texans face critical challenges both on the field and within their depth chart. The most persistent storyline centers on running back Joe Mixon, who has yet to take a snap this year after dealing with an offseason foot injury. His absence has been significant, especially for a Houston offense trying to stabilize behind a rotating backfield.

On Thursday morning, new reporting added fuel to the speculation surrounding Mixon’s outlook. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport stated that Mixon was not expected to play this season, citing sources who indicated he would likely remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the remainder of the year.

Mixon quickly disputed the report, firing back publicly and creating a rare midseason dispute between a player and a national reporter. The timing arrives as Houston prepares for one of its most important games of the season, with postseason hopes and health concerns converging at a pivotal moment.

1. Conflicting Reports Create Uncertainty

Rapoport’s report suggested the Texans had shifted toward operating without Mixon for 2025, leaning instead on Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks to carry the workload. The claim framed Mixon’s 2025 prospects as essentially over, adding clarity—if not optimism—to Houston’s long-term planning at the position. But Mixon rejected the report almost immediately, questioning how an outsider could have more information than he did about his own injury status. His response, posted to social media, expressed frustration and accused the report of prioritizing attention over accuracy. The public nature of Mixon’s pushback raised fresh questions about whether he is truly tracking toward a return, or whether Thursday’s dispute was more about preserving competitive perception. Players often target narratives that could influence how teams and fans view their role in a season. For now, the only certainty is that the Texans have offered no indication of his imminent return. Mixon remains on PUP without any recent signals of on-field progress, leaving both the team and its fans in a continued wait-and-see posture.

2. Houston’s Approach Without Mixon

Houston has built its backfield around Chubb and Marks throughout the season, and both have shouldered increased responsibility as the team works around injuries on offense. Chubb’s workload has grown steadily, while Marks has been used situationally to complement his veteran counterpart. The duo has helped stabilize Houston’s ground game, but the absence of Mixon’s power-running element remains noticeable, especially in short-yardage situations. His skill set—physicality, pass protection, and experience—would have provided useful balance for an offense that has lost continuity at quarterback. From a broader strategic standpoint, the Texans appear comfortable moving forward with their current rotation, at least until concrete updates emerge. Coaches have repeatedly emphasized that availability will dictate usage, leaving little room for speculation. Should Houston keep winning, the organization may reassess Mixon’s potential role if he makes noticeable progress. But until that happens, the Texans seem content with their existing formula as they fight to stay afloat in the AFC race.

3. A Critical Test Without CJ Stroud

Complicating matters further is the absence of quarterback CJ Stroud for Thursday’s matchup against Buffalo. Stroud has been sidelined, forcing Davis Mills into another start at a critical juncture of the season. Mills has been serviceable in his appearances, but the Texans’ offensive ceiling narrows without Stroud’s precision and decision-making. Against a Bills team capable of dictating tempo early, Houston will need efficient running and opportunistic defense to keep its postseason hopes alive. The spotlight will fall on Mills, who must minimize mistakes while capitalizing on every scoring opportunity. His performance may determine whether the Texans remain relevant in the playoff hunt heading into December. In tandem with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Mixon, Houston enters the night facing both roster instability and rising competitive stakes—conditions that could define the arc of its season.