Seahawks abandon Joe Mixon signing after failed physical, add Robert Henry Jr.

On Oct. 6, 2026, the Seattle Seahawks confirmed they will not sign veteran running back Joe Mixon after he failed a physical following a workout, and announced the addition of Robert Henry Jr. from the Washington Commanders practice squad.

The move addresses a growing need for backfield depth on a team that entered the season as reigning Super Bowl champions but has already dealt with several injuries. Rookie Jadarian Price is on injured reserve with a chest injury, and Zach Charbonnet is still recovering from a torn ACL, leaving the Seahawks reliant on newcomers like Emanuel Wilson, who posted 120 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams.

Mixon, 30, missed all of the 2025 season while rehabbing a severe foot injury that halted the momentum from his 2024 Pro Bowl campaign with the Houston Texans, in which he rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. His career includes a 2018 AFC rushing title with the Cincinnati Bengals and a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 during the Bengals’ Super Bowl LVI run.

Team officials described the failed physical as a “massive red flag.” Sources noted that the foot injury’s lingering effects raised concerns about Mixon’s durability, especially as the Seahawks evaluate long‑term roster stability. Head coach Mike Macdonald had previously said Mixon was “going through the process” but offered no guarantee of a contract.

Instead of Mixon, Seattle turned to Robert Henry Jr., a practice‑squad running back from Washington, hoping he can provide immediate insurance for a backfield that also lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to free agency. Henry’s signing reflects the Seahawks’ strategy of bolstering depth with younger, healthier players while keeping an eye on future roster flexibility.

The Seahawks have not disclosed further details about Mixon’s health evaluation, and the veteran’s future in the league remains uncertain. With the season advancing, Seattle will integrate Henry into its practice squad and continue to navigate the injury challenges that have already shaped its early‑season roster moves.