Joe Mixon is now a team captain.
The Texans running back, who was traded to the team this offseason and has rushed for over 100 yards in all but one of his six starts, was named a team captain on Friday morning.
Mixon joins quarterback C.J. Stroud, left tackle Laremy Tunsil, defensive end Will Anderson, Jr., linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, safety Jimmie Ward and long snapper Jon Weeks as Texans who wear the captain's 'C' patch on the front of their jerseys.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who was placed on injured reserve following the Green Bay game in late October, was named a team captain before the regular season began.
Mixon's averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has gained 609 yards this season, and rushed for six touchdowns. He's also been a threat as a pass-catcher, with 14 receptions for 115 yards and a score.
In addition to performing on the field, Mixon's been a vocal leader since his arrival, which is something Stroud has appreciated.
"One thing I love about Joe, Joe will call you out," Stroud said. "Joe will call me out. Joe will call his linemen out. Joe will call coaches out. He doesn't care. Ultimately, that is what you want because at the end of the day we all came here for one common goal and that is to win."
The Texans are 6-3, and Mixon's cracked the 100-yard mark in every game he's started and finished. He was injured in Week2's victory over the Bears, and missed the next three contests. His presence on the field and in the locker room has been a welcome one for Houston.
"He very much exemplifies what we believe, as far as a Texans mindset," Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik said. "He plays fast, he is physical, he is tough, and you make sure you know it and you see it. Every time he touches a rock, and every time he does out in practice, how he approaches the meetings. He goes about it the way everyone in the Texans organization should go about it."
MIxon and the Texans will host the Detroit Lions on Sunday evening at NRG Stadium.
