The Seattle Seahawks signed veteran running back Joe Mixon on Monday, adding the 30-year-old to their practice squad after a workout in the Pacific Northwest, according to multiple reports. The move comes as Seattle's backfield depth has been depleted by the departure of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency and a season-ending injury to rookie Jadarian Price, who was placed on injured reserve.
Mixon, who spent all of 2025 recovering from a severe foot injury, will begin on the practice squad to rebuild his conditioning. That means any immediate game action is on hold while he works back into shape. The Seahawks are 3-1 after a 30-23 Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but their running back room is running thin.
Seattle is betting that Mixon has enough left to provide a physical presence in a backfield that has been battered by attrition. He last played in 2024 for the Houston Texans, rushing for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games to earn his second Pro Bowl selection. That followed a seven-season run with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he won the 2018 AFC rushing title with 1,168 yards and helped the team reach Super Bowl LVI in 2021. In that Super Bowl, Mixon threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins.
But Mixon's career has been shadowed by off-field incidents. In 2014, while at Oklahoma, video showed him punching student Amelia Molitor and breaking four bones in her face. He was suspended for the season, later entered an Alford plea and was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service. Several NFL teams reportedly removed him from their draft boards before the Bengals selected him in the second round in 2017.
More legal headlines followed in the pros. In 2023, Mixon faced a misdemeanor aggravated-menacing charge related to a road-rage incident in Cincinnati; a judge found him not guilty at trial. Separately, in March 2023, a teenager playing a Nerf game near Mixon's home was shot by Mixon's sister's boyfriend. Authorities did not charge Mixon, but the victim's family sued him and the alleged shooter. The lawsuit was settled in 2025.
On the field, Mixon has been productive when available. His 2024 season with Houston showed he could still handle a heavy workload, and his pass-catching and blocking ability made him a three-down option. The Seahawks will need that versatility as they navigate the remainder of the schedule without Walker and Price.
For now, Mixon's role is limited to the practice squad, where he can practice without counting against the active roster. Seattle can elevate him to the game-day roster later if he proves healthy and ready. The team has not announced a timeline for when that might happen.
The signing reflects the harsh realities of the NFL running back market. Aging veterans coming off major injuries often find limited interest, and Mixon's history of off-field issues adds another layer of risk. But with their depth chart depleted, the Seahawks are willing to take a chance on a player who has proven he can produce at a high level.
Seattle's decision also highlights the importance of roster flexibility. By starting Mixon on the practice squad, the team can evaluate his fitness and conditioning without making a full commitment to the active roster. If he shows he can still play, he could become a valuable addition for a team that has playoff aspirations.
Mixon's last full season in 2024 was his most productive since his early years in Cincinnati. He averaged 4.0 yards per carry and scored 11 touchdowns, demonstrating the kind of short-yardage and goal-line ability that Seattle currently lacks. His experience in big games, including a Super Bowl appearance, could also be valuable in a locker room that features several young players.
However, the 30-year-old running back faces an uphill battle. A full year away from football is difficult to overcome, especially for a player who relies on physicality and burst. The Seahawks will monitor his progress closely, and any setback could end his comeback attempt before it begins.
For now, Mixon is a low-risk addition for a team in need of bodies. Whether he ever suits up for Seattle remains uncertain, but the opportunity is there for him to prove he still belongs in the NFL.