Joe Mixon will not join the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad after the veteran running back completed a physical with the club. Seattle had explored adding Mixon after injuries reshaped its backfield depth, but the evaluation ended without a contract.
Key takeaways
- Seattle chose not to sign Mixon after bringing him in for a physical.
- Mixon missed the whole 2025 campaign because of a foot injury before Houston released him during the offseason.
- The Seahawks need running back help after rookie Jadarian Price was placed on injured reserve with a chest injury.
- Emanuel Wilson led Seattle’s runners with 120 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns against the Chargers in Week 4.
- Zach Charbonnet remains in his 21-day window to return after tearing his ACL in January.
Seattle moves on from Mixon option
Coach Mike Macdonald said Monday that the Seahawks were still working through the process of potentially bringing in Mixon. By Tuesday, that consideration had concluded, with Seattle deciding against placing the former Pro Bowl runner on its practice squad.
Mixon, 30, last appeared in games during the 2024 season with the Texans. He produced 1,016 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns over 14 games, while adding 36 catches for 309 yards and one receiving score. That season earned him the second Pro Bowl nod of his career.
Houston then lost Mixon for all of 2025 because of his foot injury and released him this offseason. Since entering the league as Cincinnati’s second-round selection in 2017, Mixon has totaled 7,428 rushing yards, 2,448 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns.
Seahawks backfield remains in transition
Seattle’s search for depth followed the move that sent Price to injured reserve last weekend. The first-round rookie must miss at least four games after suffering a chest injury.
Wilson currently sits atop the active backfield. In Seattle’s Week 4 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, he handled 24 touches, gained 120 total yards and scored twice.
George Holani provides a receiving option out of the backfield, while Velus Jones, a converted wide receiver, is also on the depth chart. Charbonnet could eventually add another experienced runner, but he is still working through the 21-day practice period that opened as he recovers from the ACL tear suffered in January.
