In his first NFL regular-season game since the Cincinnati Bengals traded him to Houston in March, Texans running back Joe Mixon had the third-best running game of his career, rushing for 159 yards and scoring a touchdown in his team’s season-opening win over Indianapolis.

When asked by nbcsports.com after the game if Mixon wanted his former team to be on the Texans’ schedule, he said no.

“Because I just want to leave them where they’re at, just like they left me, man,” Mixon said, according to Mike Florio. “I’m happy to be on my new team, man, and being embraced. It feels great to be able to be a big part of what we do here. … It’s great to be appreciated here and be a big part of what we do. … I’m just happy to be on this side now.”

After the Bengals’ 10-16 loss, CBS studio analysts Bill Cowher and JJ Watt said Ja’Marr Chase’s contract situation was a distraction for the team, which faces a road game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. Additionally, Cowher said the Bengals should rethink their preparations for the start of the season given their struggles in recent openers.

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This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: Ex-Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon feels valued by the Houston Texans