The Seattle Seahawks have performed an abrupt U-turn after agreeing to sign Joe Mixon.

The reigning Super Bowl champions turned to the 30-year-old to solve their injury crisis at running back. But they have backed out of the deal after he underwent a physical, according to ESPN.

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald confirmed on Monday that Mixon, who did not play in 2025 due to a foot injury, had worked out for the team.

‘Joe worked out this morning, and he’s going through the process right now,’ Macdonald said.

The Seahawks are instead planning to sign Robert Henry Jr. from the Washington Commanders practice squad, as well as adding former Ravens running back Dontate McMillan to their own practice squad.

Mixon was released by the Houston Texans in March having spent the entire 2025 season on the non-football injury list with a mystery foot problem. 

Joe Mixon’s deal to join the Seattle Seahawks has been shelved after he underwent a physical

Mixon, previously a star for the Bengals, has not played for over a year due to a foot injury

Houston general manager Nick Caserio had previously said Mixon was sidelined by a ‘freak’ foot injury. Then, in July, reports emerged that the running back had told some teammates that ‘he is not going to play football anymore.’ 

And his attempt at a comeback in Seattle has now been shot down after his physical, raising question marks over if he will be able to return to the NFL.  

Seahawks rookie running back Jadarian Price was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers because of a chest injury.

Price, who was placed on injured reserve on Saturday, aggravated the injury during practice on Wednesday.

Seattle selected Price, 22, in the first round of this year’s draft. He made his debut in Seattle´s opener against the New England Patriots, finishing with 52 yards on 10 carries. He also caught a pair of passes for 6 yards in the Seahawks´ 13-10 win.

He left in the first half of Seattle’s 31-7 victory over Arizona because of the chest injury, then last week lost a fumble early in a 33-31 loss at Washington.

The only running back on Seattle’s practice squad, Jacardia Wright, is dealing with a foot injury while Zach Charbonnet is now eligible to play after being activated from the physically unable to perform list.

But after tearing his ACL in last year’s playoffs, he will not make his season debut this weekend against the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Macdonald recently confirmed.

‘We’re down runners,’ Macdonald said Monday when asked about Seattle’s interest in Mixon. ‘We need running backs. He’s a good running back.’

Robert Henry Jr. is expected to join Seattle from the Washington Commanders practice squad

Seattle recently placed Jadarian Price on injured reserve after he suffered a chest injury

Emanuel Wilson took his chance as Seattle’s starter at the weekend, scoring one rushing and one receiving touchdown as he accounted for 120 all-purpose yards.

Third-down back George Holani has been promoted to the second-string role for the time being with Velus Jones Jr activated from the practice squad as the No.3 option.

The Seahawks, who are now 3-1, host their NFC West rivals the San Francisco 49ers in a big game on Sunday.