Joe Mixon is getting promoted.
The Houston Texans have named the Pro Bowl running a team captain for the remainder of the season. Mixon will replace Stefon Diggs, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 8’s win over the Indianapolis Colts.
“It’s a blessing,” Mixon said Friday. “I’m very grateful.”
Honored and humbled to be named captain mid-season for the Texans. It’s a testament to the hard work we all put in together. As General Patton said, ‘Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.’ The mission is clear: victory. Let’s get it.
#WeAreTexans #4StarGeneral
https://t.co/ly4lyo2Zg8
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Primetime!!!
If anyone has proven their value as a captain, it’s Mixon. Off the field, he’s been called a leader who wants perfection in every minor detail. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud mentioned Mixon’s attentiveness to the play and willingness to call players and coaches if they’re underperforming.
“That is what you want because at the end of the day. We all came here for one common goal and that is to win,” Stroud said. “If that is hurting somebody’s feelings, we are grown men, we get paid to do this. So, you have to be able to understand it, take it for love because he really just cares about the game, and he cares about this team and his coaches.
“I love Joe.”
On the field, Mixon remains the definition of consistency. Since returning from an ankle injury suffered in Week 2, he’s rushed for over 100 yards in each contest and scored at least one touchdown.
Since being traded to Houston this offseason, Mixon has averaged 4.8 yards per attempt and 101.5 yards per game. He’s scored six touchdowns on 126 rushing attempts.
#Texans running back Joe Mixon @Joe_MainMixon on being voted team captain @KPRC2 said that coach DeMeco Ryans informed him and the team in meeting where his accomplishments were outlined ‘It’s a hell of a blessing’ pic.twitter.com/EFNY4qBxvd
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 8, 2024
“He very much exemplifies what we believe, as far as a Texans mindset,” offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “He plays fast, he is physical, he is tough, and you make sure you know it and you see it. Every time he touches a rock, and every time he does out in practice, how he approaches the meetings. He goes about it the way everyone in the Texans organization should go about it.”
Mixon will debut as the Texans’ newest captain this Sunday Night when the AFC South leaders welcome the Detroit Lions to NRG Stadium. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.