Seahawks decide not to sign RB Joe Mixon after physical review

The Seattle Seahawks decided not to sign veteran running back Joe Mixon after reviewing the results of his physical and MRI exams, The Seattle Times reported, after ESPN's Mike Garafolo had reported Monday that Mixon was expected to sign. Newsweek, citing ESPN's Adam Schefter, reported that the team did not sign him because of the results of his physical, and said it was unknown what specifically showed up as a red flag. Fox News reported that Mixon failed his physical. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]

Instead, the Seahawks made official the signing of Robert Henry Jr. off Washington's practice squad, a move that had been reported Monday, and signed Seattle native Dontae McMillan to the practice squad. The team waived safety A.J. Finley to make room for Henry on the 53-man roster and placed running back Jacardia Wright on practice squad injured reserve, The Seattle Times reported. Henry had been ticketed for the practice squad spot that had been intended for Mixon, according to that report. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]

Mixon, 30, had been expected to join the practice squad as he worked his way back after missing all of the 2025 season. The Seattle Times described foot and ankle injuries; Newsweek referred to a foot injury, and Fox News described a severe foot injury. The Houston Texans released him this past offseason. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]

Texans general manager Nick Caserio told reporters in January that Mixon's “freak” foot injury “was more of a medical condition or situation that never ... really didn't improve maybe as much as everybody would have hoped,” according to Newsweek, which cited ESPN. Newsweek said it was possible the injury had not improved as much as Mixon wanted by the time he underwent his physical with Seattle. Fox News said Mixon had a 1,000-yard, 11-touchdown Pro Bowl season with Houston in 2024 and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. [ 2 , 4 ]

Seattle's backfield has been hit by injuries through the first four games. The Seahawks placed first-round pick Jadarian Price on injured reserve with a chest injury, meaning he must sit out at least three more games, and are unsure when Zach Charbonnet will make his 2026 debut; The Seattle Times reported Charbonnet returned to practice Thursday after opening the season on the physically unable to perform list following knee surgery in February, opening his 21-day practice window, while Fox News said he is recovering from a torn ACL. [ 1 , 4 ]

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald was quoted by Newsweek as saying of the team's interest in Mixon: “Um, we're down runners. We need running backs. He's a good running back.” The moves leave Seattle with four running backs on the 53-man roster — Emanuel Wilson, George Holani, Velus Jones Jr. and Henry — ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers at Lumen Field, The Seattle Times reported. Newsweek noted the team lost Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs, and said Emanuel Wilson leads the team with 190 rushing yards through four games. [ 1 , 2 ]

Mixon will remain a free agent and continue looking to sign with other NFL teams, Newsweek reported, adding that his chances may have decreased after the physical. [ 2 ]