Seahawks pass on Joe Mixon after physical, add Robert Henry Jr. to roster

Tuesday, October 6 update

Joe Mixon will remain a free agent after Seattle decided against signing him to its practice squad following his physical, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday. The decision ends a proposed return that was still awaiting its medical step when Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald discussed the process Monday.

Seattle had worked out the former Bengals and Texans running back as injuries reduced its available backfield. Tuesday’s report changes that plan: Mixon has no announced Seattle roster spot, and the report does not disclose a new medical diagnosis or establish when he might play again.

The Seahawks did complete a different addition Tuesday. They signed undrafted rookie Robert Henry Jr. from Washington’s practice squad to their 53-man roster, waiving safety AJ Finley to make room. Running back Jacardia Wright also went on practice squad injured reserve, the team announced.

Those moves leave Henry joining Emanuel Wilson, George Holani and Velus Jones Jr. among Seattle’s available running backs. Jadarian Price remains on injured reserve. Zach Charbonnet, who has resumed practice while returning from his knee injury, is still on the physically unable to perform list. Henry’s addition is an active-roster transaction; Mixon’s proposed arrangement would have begun on the practice squad.

Henry brings recent preseason work. Seattle’s announcement credits him with 105 rushing yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in three exhibition games for Washington. He signed there after going undrafted out of UTSA, then returned to the Commanders’ practice squad after roster cuts.

At UTSA in 2025, Henry rushed for 1,045 yards and nine touchdowns and earned first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors. That college production supplies background for Seattle’s new option, but the Seahawks have not assigned him a starting role or a particular share of carries.

Mixon’s route back remains unresolved. He missed the entire 2025 season with a foot injury and has not played since January 2025. Field Gulls reported the physical-related change Tuesday after Monday’s proposed signing drew attention around Seattle’s depleted backfield.

For RSO managers, Tuesday removes the basis for treating Mixon as an incoming Seattle contributor. Henry is the confirmed addition to watch, with any fantasy value dependent on his actual role alongside Wilson and Holani. Neither the roster move nor Mixon’s failed signing process announces a new return date for Price or Charbonnet.

Monday, October 5: original report

Seattle is working toward adding Joe Mixon to its practice squad after the veteran running back’s Monday workout. Mike Macdonald said the team was going through the signing process, according to NFL.com’s 6:50 p.m. Eastern report. Adam Schefter reported that the plan remained dependent on Mixon completing his medical examination.

The prospective addition would give Seattle another option while Jadarian Price is on injured reserve and Zach Charbonnet remains unavailable for Week 5. It does not yet establish Mixon as a member of the active game-day backfield or announce how the Seahawks would use him.

Mixon, 30, missed the entire 2025 season with a foot injury. Houston released him in March. The running back previously spent seven seasons with Cincinnati before moving to the Texans in 2024, when he made his second Pro Bowl.

His experience is extensive: Mixon has produced five 1,000-yard rushing seasons across eight years in the league. That record supplies context for Seattle’s interest, but the current medical examination remains part of the signing process after his year away from games. KIRO 7’s independent report likewise described the intended practice-squad addition as dependent on clearance.

Emanuel Wilson carried 21 times for 81 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 30–23 victory over the Chargers. He also caught three passes for 39 yards and another score. George Holani and Velus Jones Jr. are also in Seattle’s available running back group. Those are the confirmed recent touches in Seattle’s depleted backfield; the team has not announced that Mixon will take any particular portion of them.

Charbonnet’s return window is open, but Macdonald has ruled him out of the upcoming San Francisco game. Price went on injured reserve Saturday with a chest injury. Mixon’s medical clearance, a completed signing and any subsequent game-day availability decision are the next developments that would clarify his place in the group.