Houston’s backfield is shaping up to be one of the more interesting spots on the roster in 2026, and it might look a lot different than people expected when the offseason began.
The addition of David Montgomery naturally led some to assume Woody Marks would settle into a secondary role. But that picture is getting blurrier by the week. Marks is making a real push to be part of the conversation for the starting job, and the Texans appear to have more than one usable option behind an offensive line that should be better than it was a year ago.
The first preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders offered the clearest look yet at Marks in game action. Montgomery sat out again, but most of Houston’s offensive starters got the opening series, and Marks made the most of his chance.
He finished with 37 rushing yards on four carries, a 9.3 average, and scored a 20-yard touchdown after breaking two tackles. He also added a six-yard catch.
The Raiders did not have their full starting defense on the field, but Marks still flashed the kind of burst that can change how a depth chart is viewed. On a day when nearly every run seemed built to attack the middle, he also showed he can win outside the tackle box.
On his touchdown, he bounced the run to the right and found space. That matters, because Montgomery is the back best suited for the inside work, and Houston will likely lean that way when both are available.
Still, Marks’ case isn’t just about one strong preseason outing. He’s entering his second season after producing 220 touches, 911 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns as a rookie.
Montgomery, meanwhile, is heading into year eight in 2026. He brings experience, but also a lot more wear and tear, and his injury history makes it hard to imagine him carrying the full load for an entire season.
That’s why Marks has a legitimate path to becoming the lead back if someone does seize control of the group. Montgomery’s 2025 numbers with the Lions - 182 touches, 908 yards and eight touchdowns - came in what was his least productive season in Detroit, even though he was sharing the field with Jahmyr Gibbs.
For now, the Texans seem set on keeping the workload balanced. Montgomery is expected to handle most of the short-yardage work, while Marks should be featured more on passing downs and perimeter runs.
Marks has put together a strong camp and preseason, but a good August won’t be enough on its own to pass Montgomery on the depth chart. Still, Houston’s backfield now looks like a real competition, not a formality.
In Other News...
Texans O Line Stability Just Took Another Worrying Hit In Camp
Houstons offensive line just took another hit in camp when right tackle Braden Smith went down with a plantar fascia foot injury during a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers and had to be carted off the field. The timing is hardly ideal for a unit still trying to settle into a rhythm, especially with training camp already putting the Texans through the usual mix of reps, shuffling and evaluation.
Smith is expected to miss a couple of weeks, which opens the door for Trent Brown to handle the starting right tackle job in the meantime. Blake Fisher is there as a backup option, but for a Texans line that has been trying to build some much-needed stability, losing another key piece in August only adds to the pressure. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Receiver Battle Is Suddenly Getting Harder To Ignore
The Texans got a different kind of summer test in Charlotte, where their joint practice with the Panthers came with the usual mix of pace, pressure and personnel evaluation. On offense, new wide receiver Kayshon Boutte worked through drills alongside the more established names in the room, giving the coaching staff another look at a position group that has become one of the more closely watched parts of camp.
Houstons defense brought its own edge to the session, with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter helping keep the Panthers under steady heat throughout practice. Even with the roster battles and on-field intensity grabbing most of the attention, the Texans also unveiled a new alternate uniform set to debut in Week 11, a nod to Houston culture that adds a little extra buzz to a season already full of moving parts. [Read more 🡒]
Will Anderson Jr. Just Sent A Message Texans Fans Will Love
Will Anderson Jr. spent part of the offseason training with Rams star Myles Garrett, a pairing that makes sense for a young pass rusher trying to sharpen every part of his game before the 2026 NFL season. Anderson has already become one of the Texans most important defensive players, and his 2025 production showed why Houston sees him as a centerpiece up front.
Recent footage from that workout added a little extra spice to the conversation when Garrett suggested Anderson still had time before he caught him. Andersons reply made it clear he does not view the gap as nearly as wide as it once looked, and that kind of confidence will play well in Houston after a season in which he posted 12 sacks while Garrett still owns the single-season benchmark at 23. [Read more 🡒]