How Joe Mixon is fitting in

Running back Joe Mixon gives the Texans another look on offense.

Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Houston Texans offensive linemen Kendrick Green (53), Dieter Eiselen (60), Kenyon Green (76), Juice Scruggs (70) and Jarrett Patterson (54) jog across the field during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.

Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans tight end Cade Stover (87) makes a catch during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans guards Dieter Eiselen (60) and Nick Broeker run a blocking drill during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans running back Jawhar Jordan (42) hits a blocking sled during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) and defensive tackle Marcus Harris (59) go up against each other during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans centers Juice Scruggs, left, and Jarrett Patterson (54) run blocking drills during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans centers Juice Scruggs, left, and Jarrett Patterson (54) run blocking drills during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) runs back across the field after breaking out of his stance during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (39) and Max Tooley run a drill during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans defensive tackle Marcus Harris runs a drill during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans defensive end Solomon Byrd lines up to run a drill during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans tackle Blake Fisher (57) runs across the field during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans linebackers Jacob Phillips (22) and Henry To’oTo’o (39) hit a blocking sled during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair hits a blocking sled during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud (7) stretches during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans quarterbacks CJ Stroud (7) and Case Keenum (18) warm up during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn lines up a kick during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn kicks a ball during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans punter Tommy Townsend warms up during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans wide receiver Steven Sims catches a tennis ball as he runs through a catching drill during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn kicks a soccer ball around the field before practice during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerHouston Texans punter Tommy Townsend stretches during an NFL training camp Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Bobby Slowik couldn’t help but crack an ear-to-ear smile when asked about Joe Mixon.

The Texans’ second-year offensive coordinator understands and appreciates the kind of weapon he now has at his disposal from the running back position. But he was also complimentary of the intangibles Mixon has shown since Houston traded for him this past offseason.

“He’s a fun, fun person to coach,” Slowik said Saturday. “I mean, from Day 1, showed up and absolutely worked his tail off. I mean, you could see right away in Phase 2 and in OTAs, like I understand now why he was as good as he was at Cincinnati. He puts in an immense amount of work. He loves football. He does not stop wanting to learn, wanting to grow, which, again, just fits in with everyone else that we have. And he’s all in on he’s going to do whatever it takes to win.”

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Mixon collected 1,410 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns during his final season in Cincinnati. It appeared the Bengals were going to cut him after signing Zack Moss in March, but the Texans stepped in with a trade offer instead. Houston surrendered a 2025 seventh-round pick for the 2021 Pro Bowler before signing him to a three-year, $27 million extension.

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Now the Texans have to effectively implement his talents.

“I feel very comfortable with where I’m at,” Mixon said. “I think my role in the offense is very unique, and I’m definitely embracing everything that comes with it.”

Since his rookie season in 2017, Mixon ranks third in the league in carries with 1,571. That trails only Derrick Henry (1,920) and Ezekiel Elliott (1,743). During that span, Mixon also ranks seventh among running backs in receptions with 283. Only Christian McCaffrey (509), Alvin Kamara (505), Austin Ekeler (440), Elliott (324), Leonard Fournette (312) and Saquon Barkley (288) ) have more.

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Put it all together, and Mixon has garnered 1,854 touches, an average of 19 per game. He’s had at least 249 carries in each of the past three years and was busiest in 2021 with a league-leading 359.

Mixon, who turns 28 next week, is confident in his ability to shoulder a large workload once again. The Bengals weren’t afraid to feed him the ball, and the Texans apparently won’t be either.

“I feel like the work I put in this offseason, I trained as hard as I possibly can — honestly, harder than I ever did before — leading up to this moment,” Mixon said.

Devin Singletary ended up as the lead back for the Texans last season and had some good moments, but Mixon is the kind of upgrade they were looking for. Houston ranked 23rd in the league in rushing yards per game at 96.9. The team has not produced a 1,000-yard rusher since Carlos Hyde in 2019.

The Texans are looking for Mixon to change that. Success running the ball should relieve some of the pressure on second-year quarterback CJ Stroud and open things up in the passing game.

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“He would love to be used as a passing threat,” Slowik said. “He would love to be a protector. He would love when he carries the rock. He loves when he’s a decoy. I mean, he just loves all of it. He’s been an absolute joy in every regard to coach. He’s a really fun personality.”

Stroud referred to Houston’s offensive playmakers as a “five-headed monster” on the first day of training camp. Mixon is certainly included in that scintillating quintet, alongside receivers Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, and tight end Dalton Schultz.

But aside from his value on the field, Mixon has also been at work forming relationships.

“Joe probably has handshakes with everyone on the team,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said. “You see the bond and the connection that he has, and it’s cool to see.”

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