{"id":240788,"date":"2025-07-27T21:51:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T01:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=240788"},"modified":"2025-07-27T21:51:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T01:51:14","slug":"joe-mixon-injury-update-should-the-nfl-world-be-concerned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/07\/27\/joe-mixon-injury-update-should-the-nfl-world-be-concerned\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Mixon Injury Update: Should The NFL World Be Concerned?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to NFL insider <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RapSheet\/status\/1949161871023505816\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ian Rapoport<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/texans\/\" target=\"_self\">Houston Texans<\/a> veteran running back<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/tag\/joe-mixon\/page\/6\/\" target=\"_self\"> Joe Mixon<\/a> is expected to be out for an &#8220;extended <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">period of time&#8221;<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> with a frustrating foot injury. Mixon will be reevaluated closer to the season to determine his availability. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The 29-year-old is coming off a great season <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">where<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> he put up <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1,016<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> rush yards while adding 11 touchdowns. Although the team hasn\u2019t confirmed the details, the latest Joe Mixon injury update raises a fair concern about his Week 1 availability.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Joe Mixon Injury Update<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_193630\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-193630\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-193630\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/10\/USATSI_24299695-1024x667.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/10\/USATSI_24299695-1024x667.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/10\/USATSI_24299695-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/10\/USATSI_24299695-768x500.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/10\/USATSI_24299695-1536x1000.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/10\/USATSI_24299695-2048x1333.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-193630\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Injury History<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Mixon has had a fantastic career to this date, having completed one of his best seasons at the age of 28. Running backs tend to have a short shelf life in the NFL, as the position is highly physical and comes with significant wear and tear. Dating back to 2020, Mixon has dealt with chronic foot and ankle injuries. In 2020, he suffered a right foot <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/nfl\/texans\/2025\/07\/26\/joe-mixon-houston-texans-injury-update-foot-issue\/85388412007\/#:~:text=2020%3A%20Mixon%20suffers%20season%2Dending,once%20again%20against%20the%20Steelers\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">(Lisfranc) injury<\/a> in Week 6 and ended up missing the remainder of the season. In 2021 and 2022, he suffered ankle sprains but missed no games. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As of recently<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, he suffered a <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonchronicle.com\/sports\/texans\/article\/joe-mixon-injury-bears-19767543.php\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">high ankle sprain<\/a> in 2024, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">causing<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> him to miss three weeks.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Mixon has dealt with a share of injuries throughout his career, and with this latest setback, the question now is how it could impact the start of the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">How Serious Could the Injury Be?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Speculating about injuries is never ideal or easy. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, this time of year, as we <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">near<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the start of the season, fans are <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">anxious<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to know <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">how severe<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> player injuries <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">are<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Not just for their team, but for fantasy football, as thousands of NFL fans start their fantasy football drafts soon. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The recent Joe Mixon injury update has sparked concern, especially with his <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">previous foot\/ankle injuries. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While nothing has been confirmed, the pattern raises some concern about whether these lingering injuries are connected or, at the very least, complicating his recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Joe Mixon: Injury, Timeline, Expectations <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oWDiVbXeTu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/oWDiVbXeTu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DrJesseMorse\/status\/1949212924519567520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>One of the more credible voices in sports medicine, Dr. Jesse Morse, a board-certified sports medicine physician who frequently analyzes NFL injuries, recently weighed in on Mixon\u2019s situation. He noted that there could be a reason for concern. According to Morse, Mixon has been in a walking boot off and on throughout the offseason. The exact nature of the injury remains unclear. Morse mentioned that the injury could be a lingering high ankle sprain, a midfoot sprain possibly involving the Lisfranc joint, or even a non-healing fracture. <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Morse also pointed out the specific danger of midfoot injuries. He explained that if the midfoot is unstable or weakened, the arch of the foot may collapse. That makes it difficult or even impossible to plant the foot properly. In many cases, if a midfoot sprain does not heal correctly, it often requires surgery. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A notable comparison is running back <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/tag\/travis-etienne\/\" target=\"_self\">Travis Etienne<\/a>, who suffered a <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/32077723\/jacksonville-jaguars-rb-travis-etienne-likely-season-lisfranc-injury-source-says\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lisfranc injury<\/a> early in his rookie year. Etienne missed the entire 2021 season as a result. Morse suggests that if Mixon\u2019s injury does not improve in the coming weeks, he may be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start the season. In a worst-case scenario, he could require season-ending surgery.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Next Man Up<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If Mixon does indeed miss some time in 2025, the Texans have <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/tag\/nick-chubb\/\" target=\"_self\">Nick Chubb<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/tag\/dameon-pierce\/page\/2\/\" target=\"_self\">Dameon Pierce<\/a>, and rookie <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/04\/10\/woody-marks-2025-nfl-draft-scouting-report\/\" target=\"_self\">Woody Marks<\/a> to step up in his absence. Four-time Pro Bowler Nick Chubb is coming off a season-ending broken foot that he suffered in Week 15. Chubb has dealt with many significant injuries throughout his career, including multiple serious knee injuries. The now 29-year-old was one of the best running backs in the NFL during his prime years. Despite age not being on his side, Chubb has <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">always been resilient<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Coming back from his severe knee injury, which he suffered in 2023 and<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> required <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.clevelandbrowns.com\/news\/against-all-odds-the-story-of-nick-chubb-s-comeback#:~:text=Nick%20underwent%20two%20successful%20surgeries,the%20joint%20and%20collateral%20ligaments.\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">two separate surgeries<\/a>, proves his resilience<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Houston can also give rookie Woody Marks a look, as he had a very productive senior year at USC. With Dameon Pierce struggling to make a consistent impact, Houston\u2019s backfield outlook could depend on Chubb\u2019s ability to stay healthy and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Marks&#8217;<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> upside to contribute early. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At this point, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Mixon&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Week 1 availability is purely speculative. There&#8217;s still a chance he can be cleared on time for Week 1. Until there\u2019s more clarity, the Texans have to prepare as if they\u2019ll be without Mixon to start the season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Main Image: Denny Medley-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Joe Mixon injury update: The veteran running back is dealing with an unclear foot issue, and there\u2019s growing speculation he may not be ready for Week 1.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5513,"featured_media":240823,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[36,14],"tags":[8923,114,1911,3584,7239,32926],"class_list":["post-240788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-news","category-texans","tag-dameon-pierce","tag-houston-texans","tag-joe-mixon","tag-nick-chubb","tag-travis-etienne","tag-woody-marks"],"modified_by":"Drew Crabtree","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/240788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5513"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=240788"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/240788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":240824,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/240788\/revisions\/240824"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/240823"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=240788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=240788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=240788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}