Seahawks Reject Joe Mixon as Running Back Injuries Mount

Seattle's efforts to stabilize its running game have encountered another setback after the Seahawks decided not to add veteran running back Joe Mixon to their practice squad in October 2026. The decision followed a physical examination and came as injuries and ball-security problems reduced the team's backfield options, according to Sportsnet and myBellinghamNow.

Mixon, a two-time Pro Bowler, remains a free agent after missing the entire 2025 season with a foot injury. The 30-year-old last played in 2024, when he recorded 1,016 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games for the Houston Texans, according to Sportsnet.

Seattle had considered bringing Mixon aboard to provide experienced depth while rookie Jadarian Price remained sidelined with a chest injury. However, the team ultimately passed on the veteran following his medical evaluation, according to myBellinghamNow. Seattle instead signed running back Robert Henry Jr. from the Washington Commanders' practice squad and added Seattle native Dontae McMillan to its practice squad, while waiving safety AJ Finley.

The roster decisions followed the departure of Kenneth Walker III, who joined the Kansas City Chiefs in March after completing his four-year rookie contract. Seattle declined to use the franchise tag, allowing Walker to enter unrestricted free agency, according to Heavy.com.

Kansas City signed Walker to a three-year contract worth $43.05 million, with a maximum value of $45 million and $28.7 million guaranteed. The financial commitment exceeded what Seattle was willing to offer, according to Heavy.com, which cited reporting by Gregg Bell of The News Tribune.

Walker has produced 537 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 87 carries through four games with Kansas City, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He has also added 84 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 12 receptions, giving him 621 yards from scrimmage and six total touchdowns, according to Heavy.com.

His production contrasts with Seattle's early results. Through Week 4, Wilson had accumulated 190 rushing yards on 53 attempts, Price had 119 yards on 28 carries, and George Holani had 70 yards on 22 attempts, according to Heavy.com. Together, the three had recorded 379 rushing yards on 103 carries.

Seattle's backfield problems have also been compounded by injuries. Zach Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL during the team's postseason run in January and was not available against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5. Price, selected 32nd overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a chest injury in practice, according to Heavy.com.

Wilson had shown he could handle an increased workload, recording 81 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4, according to Sportsnet. However, both Wilson and Holani fumbled in the first half against San Francisco in Week 5, adding ball-security concerns to Seattle's personnel challenges, Heavy.com reported.

Head coach Mike Macdonald addressed Wilson's workload, the use of Rashid Shaheed in the backfield, and the decision not to sign Mixon in comments covered by TSN on October 7. Seattle's immediate running back options continued to depend on Wilson, Holani, and the eventual return of injured contributors.

Mixon's previous NFL production includes 49 touchdowns during his first seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards four times, according to Sportsnet. He recorded 1,000 or more rushing yards in five of his eight NFL seasons, according to USA Today For The Win.