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

When asked by nbcsports.com after the game if Mixon wished the Texans had his old team on their schedule, he replied that he did not.

“‘Cause 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 embrace myself. It feels great to be a big part of what we do here. … I feel great to be appreciated here and play a big part in what we do. … I’m just happy to be on this side of it now.”

Following the Bengals’ 16-10 loss, CBS studio analysts Bill Cowher and JJ Watt suggested that Ja’Marr Chase’s contract situation has been a distraction for the team, which faces the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. Additionally, Cowher said the Bengals need to reevaluate their preparation for the start of the season given their struggles in recent season openers.

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