The Texans are starting the season without Joe Mixon. 

The standout running back is set to miss at least the opening four games, as the team revealed on Monday that Mixon will be added to the reserve/non-football injury list at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Tuesday is the day NFL teams have to cut down their rosters to 53 players.

Mixon has been sidelined due to a foot injury he sustained while away from the team in the spring, preventing him from participating in offseason activities, training camp practices, or preseason matches.

He commenced training camp on the active/NFI list, and being on this list at the season’s start rules him out for a minimum of four games as the 2025 season kicks off.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans would not say what Mixon’s availability would be when he spoke to reporters earlier in the day.  

“We’ll provide an update when the appropriate time comes,” Ryans said, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. “Myself and [general manager] Nick [Caserio] are still working through various aspects. There’s still a significant number of decisions to make,” he added.

Without Mixon in action, Nick Chubb has been the Texans’ lead running back. The team also has several other options including Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, rookie Woody Marks, and Jawhar Jordan.

Ryans expressed confidence in the clubs’ backs when he addressed reporters. 

“We understand the capabilities of both [Mixon and Chubb],” Ryans commented. “Adding Dameon to the roster strengthens us further. We have a deeply talented group of running backs, as seen with Woody’s performance during the preseason. It’s a wealth of talent that can carry us through the season,” he remarked.

The Texans open up their season Sept. 7 against the Rams.