Joseph Tyler Mixon Bio
Joseph Tyler Mixon is an American professional football running back for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2016. Mixon was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft and later traded to the Texans in March 2024. Known for his exceptional rushing ability and durability, he has been selected to multiple Pro Bowls and ranks among the top rushers in franchise history for both the Bengals and Texans organizations.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Tyler Mixon was born on July 24, 1996, in Oakley, California, a small city in Contra Costa County. He attended Freedom High School in Oakley, where he became a three-year starter at running back for the Falcons football team. His high school career showcased remarkable consistency and growth, with his rushing totals increasing each year.
As a sophomore, Mixon rushed for 1,134 yards and 13 touchdowns on 171 carries. His junior season saw improvement to 1,443 yards and 21 touchdowns on 201 carries. In his senior year, he delivered his best high school performance with 1,704 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns on 226 carries. Beyond football, Mixon also played basketball for Freedom High School, averaging 12.2 points per game and helping his team achieve a 22-2 overall record.
Mixon was ranked as a five-star recruit and the top-ranked running back in the nation by Rivals.com. He received 47 college offers and ultimately chose the University of Oklahoma over schools including Alabama, California, Wisconsin, and UCLA, committing in January 2014.
Path to Professional Football
Mixon attended the University of Oklahoma from 2014 to 2016, playing for the Oklahoma Sooners football program. He was suspended from the team for the 2014 season due to a legal matter. In 2015, as a redshirt freshman, he earned playing time in all 12 games with three starts, immediately making an impact.
In his first career game, Mixon recorded a 76-yard touchdown reception, the longest catch ever by a Sooner freshman running back. He finished the 2015 regular season with 749 rushing yards on 110 carries, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt, along with seven rushing touchdowns. He also added 25 receptions for 345 yards and four receiving touchdowns. His standout performances included 154 rushing yards against Texas Tech and 136 rushing yards against Oklahoma State.
The 2016 season marked Mixon’s breakthrough campaign. He delivered a career-defining performance against Texas Tech, carrying 31 times for 263 rushing yards and two touchdowns while also catching four passes for 114 yards and three receiving touchdowns in a 66-59 victory. He closed his collegiate career with 91 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the Sugar Bowl win over Auburn. After the 2016 season, Mixon declared for the NFL draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Joseph Tyler Mixon Career
Cincinnati Bengals (2017-2023)
Mixon was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round with the 48th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract worth $5.45 million with $2.81 million guaranteed. Mixon made his NFL debut on September 10, 2017, against the Baltimore Ravens. He recorded his first career rushing touchdown in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. In his rookie season, he finished with 626 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, adding 30 receptions for 287 receiving yards.
The 2018 season proved to be a breakout year for Mixon. He led the AFC with 1,168 rushing yards and recorded his first 100-yard rushing games, including a 123-yard performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with two touchdowns. He also had a 129-yard game against the Oakland Raiders. Overall, he finished with eight rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. His 2019 season saw him compile 1,137 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns to go along with 35 receptions for 287 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
A significant contract extension came in September 2020, when Mixon signed a four-year, $48 million deal. However, a foot injury in Week 6 forced him to miss significant time, and he was placed on injured reserve in November. He finished the 2020 season with 428 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in six games. The 2021 season marked Mixon’s ascent to elite status, as he was selected to his first Pro Bowl and led the team with a career-high 1,205 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, along with 42 receptions for 314 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. His 13 rushing touchdowns were the most by a Bengals player since Ickey Woods in 1988.
In the 2022 season, Mixon continued his production with 814 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, adding 60 receptions for 441 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in 14 games. He set a franchise record with five touchdowns in a single game against the Carolina Panthers, compiling 153 rushing yards and 58 receiving yards in that contest. The 2023 season saw Mixon rush for 1,034 yards and score 12 combined touchdowns, moving into third place on the Bengals’ all-time franchise rushing list behind James Brooks and Corey Dillon.
Houston Texans (2024-Present)
Mixon was traded to the Houston Texans on March 13, 2024, in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick. The following day, he signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension through the 2026 season. In his Texans debut against the Indianapolis Colts on September 8, Mixon recorded his third-highest career rushing output with 159 yards and a touchdown in a 29-27 victory, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He missed three games from Week 3 to Week 5 due to an ankle injury before returning in Week 6 with 132 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns against the New England Patriots.
Mixon continued his strong production throughout the 2024 season, compiling 1,016 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns while adding 36 receptions for 309 receiving yards. He became the only player in NFL history to record at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in six consecutive road games. In the playoffs, he had 25 carries for 106 rushing yards and a touchdown in the Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, followed by 100 scrimmage yards in the Divisional Round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Running Style and Strengths
Mixon is known for his patient running style, excellent vision, and ability to break tackles. His combination of size and speed makes him a dual-threat out of the backfield, effective both as a rusher and receiver. He has demonstrated the ability to contribute in short-yardage situations while also possessing the speed to break long runs. His durability has been a key asset throughout his career, consistently handling heavy workloads and remaining productive throughout seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mixon achieved his first Pro Bowl selection in 2021, becoming the first Bengals running back to earn the honor since Rudi Johnson in 2004. He earned a second Pro Bowl selection in 2024 following his strong debut season with the Texans. In Super Bowl LVI, Mixon made history by throwing a 6-yard passing touchdown to Tee Higgins, becoming the third running back in NFL history to throw a touchdown in the Super Bowl. He was ranked 38th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.
Joseph Tyler Mixon Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Mixon has accumulated impressive rushing statistics across multiple seasons with two franchises. His consistent production has made him one of the most reliable running backs in the league since entering in 2017.
NFL Highlights
Mixon has amassed 7,428 career rushing yards and 60 rushing touchdowns through the 2025 season, along with 319 receptions for 2,448 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. He led the AFC in rushing yards during the 2018 season with 1,168 yards. His career-high single-game rushing performance came in his Texans debut with 159 yards. He has recorded numerous 100-yard rushing games throughout his career and set a Bengals franchise record with five touchdowns in a single game in 2022.
College and Award Highlights
In college, Mixon earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2016 and was recognized as the top-ranked running back recruit coming out of high school. He holds the record for the longest reception by a Sooner freshman running back at 76 yards. His 263-yard performance against Texas Tech in 2016 remains his single-game collegiate best.
| Competition Level | Games | Rushing Yards | touchdowns Rush | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns Receiving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 130 | 7,428 | 60 | 2,448 | 14 |
| College (Oklahoma) | 27 | 1,274 | 9 | 479 | 5 |
Joseph Tyler Mixon Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Mixon is a Christian and often credits his faith for his football abilities. He has been described as a low-key individual who prefers spending time at home with family. Mixon has tight relationships with his offensive lines, both in Cincinnati and Houston, often speaking publicly about his appreciation for the players who block for him.
According to Bengals coach Zac Taylor, Mixon has a daughter who was born in October 2023. Mixon maintains strong family connections and values his privacy regarding personal matters.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a challenging year for Mixon as he missed the entirety of the season due to a leg injury. On March 6, 2026, Mixon was released by the Houston Texans following his recovery from the injury. This marked a significant transition in his career after just two seasons with the Texans organization. The leg injury forced him to the sideline for the entire campaign, ending his streak of consistent production that dated back to his rookie season. His release opened a new chapter in his NFL journey as he worked toward a potential return to the field with another organization.