Seahawks turn to Pro Bowl veteran Joe Mixon amid running back shortage

The Seattle Seahawks are turning to an accomplished veteran as they try to navigate a suddenly depleted running back room. Seattle plans to sign former Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixo n to its practice squad pending a physical, according to ESPN.

Coach Mike Macdonald confirmed Monday that Mixon worked out for the Seahawks and is going through the process of joining the organization. For Seattle, the move is less about immediately handing the veteran a starting job and more about adding insurance at a position that has quickly become a concern.

Mixon, 30, missed the entire 2025 season because of a foot injury and was released by the Houston Texans in March. His availability and health will therefore be the first questions Seattle must answer. But there is also a reason the Seahawks are willing to take the chance. The last time Mixon was healthy, he was still producing at a high level.

In 2024, his first season with Houston, Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns and earned his second career Pro Bowl selection. He also remained a significant part of the Texans' passing game . If Mixon can regain that form, Seattle could eventually have a proven veteran waiting in the wings during a season in which the team needs depth at running back.

Emanuel Wilson has stepped up

For now , Emanuel Wilson remains Seattle's lead back. Wilson delivered in Sunday's 30-23 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, rushing for 81 yards on 21 carries while adding three receptions for 39 yards. He scored once on the ground and once through the air.

That performance gives Seattle reason to believe Wilson can handle an increased workload in the short term. But the Seahawks' depth chart remains unsettled. George Holani is currently the No. 2 option, while Velus Jones Jr. provides additional depth. Zach Charbonnet has returned to practice after recovering from last season's ACL injury, but he won't play this weekend against the San Francisco 49ers.

That leaves Seattle l ooking for another experienced option. Mixon could eventually fill that role. A veteran with plenty left on his résumé Before his injury, Mixon had established himself as one of the NFL's most productive all-around running backs.

The former Cincinnati Bengals standout has accumulated 7,428 rushing yards and 60 rushing touchdowns during his career. He has also added 2,448 receiving yards and 14 touchdown receptions. That experience could be particularly valuable for Seattle if Mixon proves that his foot is healthy enough to withstand the demands of an NFL season.

The Seahawks don't need to rush him into action

By placing him on the practice squad, they can evaluate his conditioning, health and fit within their offense before deciding whether to elevate him to the active roster. That's an important distinction. Seattle is not betting its season on Mixon. It's giving itself another option.

The timing makes sense. The Seahawks have started the season strongly enough that protecting their depth becomes increasingly important. A team doesn't need to wait until a position becomes a crisis before addressing it. Seattle's decision to bring in Mixon gives the coaching staff another experienced running back to evaluate while Charbonnet works his way back and Wilson handles the bulk of the workload.

It also represents a relatively low-risk opportunity to see whether a former Pro Bowler still has something left. Mixon's 2024 season suggests the answer could be yes. The 2025 injury makes that far from guaranteed. The physical will provide the first indication of where Mixon stands.