Yesterday afternoon, support from around the NFL poured into the sports media space as former Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon had officially made his return to the league. This time, by way of signing a deal with the Seattle Seahawks due to incumbent starter Jadarian Price being placed on Injured Reserve after a reaggravated chest injury.
After missing all of the 2025 season due to one of the most mysterious lower-body injuries the league has ever seen, the former Oklahoma Sooner rusher seemingly came out on the other side with a renewed lease on his NFL career. He even posted a celebratory statement on his official X account by saying,
"Y’all just don’t know, what I been through this passed year & a half… Just know that’s all God.
He will test your faith, keep trusting, stay patient, and believe in His timing. Never lose hope or give up. Your breakthrough is coming."
Except, as of today, that opportunity seems to have evaporated just as quickly as it had been given. For, according to ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Seahawks have now rescinded Mixon's contract offer after the results of what appears to be a failed physical.
Former Houston Texan Joe Mixon is still a free agent after failed physical for Seattle Seahawks
At exactly 12:43 p.m. (CST) today, Schefter tweeted out,
"As it turns out, the Seahawks decided not to sign veteran running back Joe Mixon to their practice squad after he underwent a physical for the team, per league source. Mixon will remain a free agent."
As is the case with any new roster addition, teams reserve the right and ability to nullify deals based on the findings of their team-orchestrated physicals. Physicals have been the cause of many an altered trade package, for the unceremonious cutting of multiple players or even the financial commitment of teams looking to lock up talent on a long-term basis. In this case, it's prevented the signing of an eager Pro Bowler who thought that he's put the volatile nature of his previous 12 months behind him.
And it's not like it's any secret as to what kind of "failure" showed up on the physical report, as Houston Chronicle Texans reporter Jonathan Alexander stated via his official X account (while also clearing up some salacious rumors at the same time),
"I don't think this is some sort of mystery some are making it out to be.
He did NOT shoot himself. He has a rare medical condition he's choosing to make private. He worked w/ doctors to help heal his foot.
Now, 2 teams don't have confidence that his foot is healthy enough."
It's quite the unfortunate turn of event for Mixon, as the 30-year-old former Bengal was certainly looking for a softer landing after such a tomultuous 2025. With him now being back on the market in such a publicly scarring way, there's a decent chance that teams will now be scared off from pursuing Mixon in the near future.
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