One of the NFL’s standout players in recent years has entered the free-agent pool following a season lost to injury.

On Friday, the Houston Texans decided to release running back Joe Mixon, who was sidelined for the entirety of last season due to what general manager Nick Caserio described as a ‘freak’ foot injury. The specifics of the condition remain vague, though Yahoo! Sports has previously referred to it as a ‘condition’ instead of pinpointing a specific injury.

Mixon had one year left on a three-year, $27 million contract extension, which he signed after leaving the Bengals for the Texans. By releasing Mixon, the Texans free up $8 million in salary cap space.

This decision follows the Texans’ acquisition of running back David Montgomery from Detroit earlier in the week.

Throughout last season, the Texans were tight-lipped about the 29-year-old Mixon’s recovery, only noting during training camp that he had suffered a foot injury away from their facilities during the offseason.

Despite advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs for the third consecutive year, the Texans’ offense struggled without Mixon. In his debut season with the team in 2024, he rushed for 1,016 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.

The Houston Texans released running back Joe Mixon on Friday after he missed all of last season with what general manager Nick Caserio called a ‘freak’ foot injury

With Mixon out, the Texans relied on rookie Woody Marks and Nick Chubb. Marks, a fourth-round pick, led the team with 703 yards rushing and Chubb added 506 yards. The Texans struggled to run the ball in their loss to New England in the playoffs, managing only 48 yards rushing.

Mixon now joins an increasingly crowded free-agent market.

Kirk Cousins and Kyler Murray won’t officially be free until they’re released by their teams next week but they’ll be two of the most accomplished QBs on the market. 

Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers hasn’t declared his intentions to play another season. If he wants to play, he’ll generate interest after helping the Steelers win the AFC North.

If the Dolphins cut Tua Tagovailoa, he’d be an interesting option, especially for the veteran’s minimum.

Kirk Cousins is expected to hit the free-agent market this week after his stint in Atlanta 

Malik Willis could end up with a lucrative deal from a team that considers him a possible long-term option.

Russell Wilson will be seeking his fourth team in four years. The Colts placed a transition tag on Daniel Jones so he’s not as ‘free’ to go elsewhere because Indianapolis can match any offer he gets.

Mike Evans, a six-time Pro Bowl pick, is exploring free agency for the first time and there’s a real possibility he could play his 13th season for a new team. He’s looking for a championship contender with an established quarterback and would be an ideal fit for several teams, including the 49ers, Patriots and Chargers.

D.J. Moore is heading to Buffalo in a trade. Other teams would have to trade a premium to get A.J. Brown from the Eagles.

Alec Pierce led the league in yards per reception over the last two seasons with the Colts and he’s only turning 26 in May so he’s going to be hotly pursued.

Five-time All-Pro Tyreek Hill is coming off a serious knee injury. Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Christian Kirk and Wan’dale Robinson are among the top available receivers.

Kyler Murray recently apologized to Cardinals fans for his failure to succeed in Arizona 

Kenneth Walker III had 135 yards rushing in Seattle’s 29-13 Super Bowl victory over New England last month.

He’s expected to get the biggest deal among running backs and was recently linked to the Kansas City Chiefs by Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer.

Travis Etienne, Rico Dowdle and Tyler Allgeier also will be free agents. The group of runners also includes Rachaad White, Kenneth Gainwell, Brian Robinson and Najee Harris.

Walker could be a fit in Carolina, Arizona, Denver, Washington and Minnesota.

The NFL increased the salary cap to $301.2 million last week, up $22 million from 2025.

The Chargers currently have the most room under the cap at $99.5 million, according to Spotrac.com. The Titans are next at $89.3 million followed by the Raiders ($84.7 million), Commanders ($83.3 million) and Jets ($73.8 million).

The Seahawks have $60.7 million available.