Overview

• Mixon’s reserve/non-football injury designation makes him ineligible for the first four games, after which a 21‑day activation window could open without guaranteeing a return.
• GM Nick Caserio said there is “no crystal ball,” declined to project a timetable, and noted roster categories are applied through the league’s process.
• The veteran back has not practiced since the offseason, missing OTAs, minicamp, training camp and the preseason, with reports indicating the injury occurred away from the team and observers seeing him in a walking boot earlier in the summer.
• Houston plans a committee backfield featuring Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce and rookie Woody Marks while Mixon is out, with DeMeco Ryans emphasizing a privacy-focused, one‑day‑at‑a‑time approach.
• Reporting from Pro Football Talk highlights potential financial consequences for Mixon on NFI, including lost per‑game roster bonuses and discretionary base‑salary risk.