Nick Caserio Drops Cryptic Hint on Joe Mixon’s Return—Texans Fans Left in Suspense

Joe Mixon, Houston Texans’ workhorse running back, sits out this entire season nursing a pesky foot injury that refuses to clear up. Back when the injury first cropped up, Texans GM Nick Caserio was cautiously optimistic—he told folks six weeks ago he’d have a clearer picture “in a few weeks.” Well, guess what? We’re past that mark, and the situation is as murky as ever. No solid timetable for Mixon’s return. It’s the kind of limbo that tests patience and makes you wonder what’s really going on behind the scenes.

When Caserio appeared on Sports Radio 610 recently, he didn’t sugarcoat the uncertainty. “It ain’t that I’m dodging the question,” he said, “but Joe’s progress has been a rollercoaster—sometimes forward, sometimes stalled. He’s doing all he can, and as the season ticks by, it’s clear we can’t pin down any expectations. At this stage, he’s out until he’s not. That’s just the reality we’re dealing with.”

Placed on the non-football injury list as camp kicked off, Mixon’s exact injury origins remain a mystery, veiled by the Texans’ silence. Last year, he racked up an impressive 1,016 rushing yards, leading the team. This year, it’s veteran Nick Chubb stepping into the spotlight with 419 yards through 10 games. The Texans—and their fans—are left holding their breath, hoping for some clarity, some spark of good news, soon.

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Texans running back Joe Mixon hasn’t played at all this season because of a foot injury. Six weeks ago, Texans General Manager Nick Caserio said he expected to know more about Mixon’s status in a few weeks. It’s been more than a few weeks, and the Texans still don’t know when Mixon will be able to go.

Caserio said on Sports Radio 610 that the team still doesn’t have any update about Mixon’s recovery.

“It’s not that I’m trying to be evasive, it’s just a very gray situation,” Caserio said. “Joe’s worked at it. There were times where he’s made progress and other times when the progress is kind of stalled. Players in his situation are on the reserve list until they’re not. Joe’s doing everything he can. Obviously we’re getting pretty late in the game here, so I don’t want to establish any sort of expectations. A month ago or whatever it was, I mentioned we’d have a better idea in three or four weeks, or whatever it was. I don’t think we have any more clarity at this point. I think at this point he’s out until he’s not. It’s a very gray, a lot of ambiguity, there’s not a lot of clarity, it’s nobody’s fault, it’s just the reality of the situation.”

Mixon was placed on the non-football injury list at the start of training camp, and the Texans haven’t explained how he hurt his foot in the first place. Last year Mixon was the Texans’ leading rusher, with 1,016 yards, while this year they’ve turned to Nick Chubb, who has 419 yards through 10 games.