The Texans spent the offseason reworking a backfield that never really found its footing in 2025, and the new setup comes with both promise and a few obvious question marks.
At the center of it all is David Montgomery. Houston brought in the former Lions running back after Joe Mixon’s injury-hit season left the position group unstable.
Montgomery is heading into his age-29 season, and his last year produced his lowest rushing totals since he entered the NFL. That makes him one of the more interesting additions on the roster: if he rebounds, the Texans could finally get the steady early-down and goal-line production they were missing a year ago.
Woody Marks is also set for a different kind of season. After leading Houston in rushing last year, he is expected to move into a more specialized role.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reported that the Texans plan to use him on third downs, in passing situations and on special teams as a returner. That shift could mean a smaller offensive workload than he handled in 2025, even with Montgomery now in the mix.
Beyond the top two, the depth chart is still up for grabs. Jawhar Jordan looks like the current favorite for the RB3 job after working his way up from the practice squad last season. But British Brooks is still in the hunt, and undrafted rookies Noah Whittington and Joshua Pitsenberger will get their chances to push for a spot during training camp.
Houston is betting that the new arrangement can lead to a more balanced offense. The answer will come down to Montgomery’s production, Marks’ new responsibilities and how the battle for the final running back spot plays out.
In Other News...
Former Lions CB Terrion Arnold May Not Wait Long To Land
Terrion Arnolds next stop could come together quickly after the former Lions cornerback cleared waivers and became free to sign with any NFL team. His release has already pushed him into a market where teams are looking for secondary help, and his camp says the phone has started to ring.
Among the clubs that could make sense are the Jets, where a reunion with Aaron Glenn would be the obvious hook, along with the Chiefs, who could use more depth in the back end, and the Buccaneers, who still have questions to sort out in their secondary. For Arnold, the path to a new opportunity appears open, and the only real question now is which team moves fastest. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Roster Rankings Show Who May Already Be Slipping Away
A batch of young Lions and recent additions are already finding themselves on the roster bubble as Detroits 2026 projections start to take shape. In a staff ranking that slots players from 70 to 61, the focus is less on who is locked in and more on who could still carve out a role, whether through special teams, depth value or a strong summer that changes the conversation.
Luke Altmyer, Anthony Lucas and Colby Sorsdal are among the names drawing attention because each brings a different kind of intrigue, but also a clear path problem. Altmyer has the arm talent and poise to keep scouts interested, Lucas arrives with the kind of upside that can make an undrafted player hard to ignore, and Sorsdal is trying to find his way at tackle while facing a crowded room, which is exactly the kind of competition that can turn a projected depth piece into an afterthought before camp even settles in. [Read more 🡒]
This Lions Addition Could Quietly Change Everything In The Secondary
Roger McCrearys arrival in Detroit gives the Lions another layer of flexibility at cornerback at a time when the secondary is still sorting itself out. Signed to a one-year deal, McCreary brings experience inside and outside, which matters for a team that has been looking for dependable answers after Terrion Arnolds release opened up more opportunity in the defensive backfield.
The appeal is obvious for Detroit: McCreary has already shown he can handle different assignments and stay productive in the NFL, making him a natural fit to compete for a meaningful role right away. He is in the mix for one of the open starting jobs, and while the Lions have other options on the roster, this is the kind of addition that could quietly reshape how the defense lines up once the season starts. [Read more 🡒]