Joe Mixon joins Seahawks to stabilize injury-hit backfield

The Seattle Seahawks are turning to a proven veteran to patch up their backfield. According to ESPN, the defending Super Bowl champions are signing running back Joe Mixon after bringing him in for a workout on Monday, shoring up a position group hit hard by injuries as they head into Week 5.

Backfield injuries force Seahawks to act

Seattle has been operating with limited depth at running back. Zach Charbonnet is still not ready to return after tearing his ACL in January, while first-round rookie Jadarian Price has been placed on injured reserve with a chest injury. Those setbacks left the Seahawks leaning heavily on depth options early in the season.

Emanuel Wilson currently leads the team in carries, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, with George Holani also in the mix. While that duo has kept the ground game afloat, relying almost exclusively on lesser-known backs posed a risk for a team with championship aspirations, especially with a demanding stretch of the schedule looming.

Mixon brings proven production after lost 2025 season

Mixon, now 30, did not play in 2025 because of a foot injury, but his recent track record remains impressive. In 2024, he served as the lead back for the Houston Texans, topping 1,000 rushing yards and reaching double digits in rushing touchdowns on a heavy workload.

Over eight NFL seasons, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals before his stint in Houston, Mixon has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in five campaigns, including three of his last four years on the field. From 2021 through 2024, his rushing yardage ranked among the league’s best, and his rushing touchdown total placed him near the top of the NFL in that span. That level of production is what Seattle is betting on as he transitions into their offense.

Competition for snaps before key 49ers matchup

Mixon is expected to compete immediately with Wilson and Holani for touches once he is up to speed in the Seahawks’ system. His ability to handle a significant workload could allow Seattle to balance its offense and reduce the burden on its passing game.

The timing of the move underscores its importance. The Seahawks, sitting at 3-1, are preparing to host the NFC West-leading San Francisco 49ers, who enter Week 5 at 4-0. Mixon joined the team on Monday, giving him only a few days to learn the playbook. If he can adapt quickly, the veteran could play a role as early as Sunday’s high-stakes divisional matchup at Lumen Field.