The Houston Texans got a needed lift on Thursday when David Montgomery was back on the practice field for the first time since the groin injury he suffered against the Tennessee Titans in Week 5.
That return matters for a Houston offense that has spent the last several weeks trying to patch together its backfield and make do with a rushing attack that hasn’t been producing much. Montgomery’s presence at practice doesn’t guarantee an immediate comeback to game action, but it does mark a meaningful step in his recovery.
Houston has had to juggle different answers behind the line of scrimmage while leaning more heavily on C.J. Stroud and the passing game. The absence has been especially noticeable given what the Texans gave up to get Montgomery in the first place: Juice Scruggs, a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Detroit Lions, along with a two-year, $16.5 million extension.
The Texans have spent plenty of time under the spotlight because of Stroud, but the ground game still has to do its part if this offense is going to stay balanced.
Montgomery’s return to practice also gives him a chance to start building back toward game speed, settle back into the offense and move closer to the role Houston brought him in to fill as its lead back.
Still, the Texans have reason to be careful here. Groin injuries can hang around, and that’s especially true for running backs who have to cut, burst and take contact over and over again. Houston will want to know he can handle that workload before putting him back into his normal heavy rotation.
For now, the biggest takeaway is simple: the Texans have their backfield playmaker back on the practice field, and that’s a welcome sign as they try to get closer to full strength for the second half of the season. What his return ultimately looks like, and how fast he climbs back into the mix, still has to be sorted out.
In Other News...
Texans Suddenly Have A Will Anderson Concern Before Browns Game
A week of preparation for the Browns got a little more complicated for Houston when Will Anderson Jr. showed up on the injury report as a limited participant because of an ankle issue. The second-year edge rusher has been central to what the Texans want to do defensively, so any limitation around him is worth watching closely as the team moves through the final days before kickoff.
Danielle Hunter was also limited with a hamstring injury, adding another layer to Houstons pass-rush concerns, while Marvin Harrison Jr. did not practice because of a hamstring issue. The Texans will release their final injury report and game designations on Friday, which should offer a clearer picture of who is trending toward playing and who may be headed into the weekend with a tougher outlook. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Offensive Line Suddenly Has A Browns Problem
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If Rutledge is out, rookie Febechi Nwaiwu is expected to step into the starting role at left guard. It is another test for a unit trying to settle in, even as DeMeco Ryans has continued to point to Rutledges consistency through the ups and downs of his first NFL season. [Read more 🡒]
Texans See One Cleveland Challenge As A Real Opportunity
Windy weather in Cleveland is not necessarily a nuisance for the Texans. Special teams coordinator Frank Ross sounded almost eager about it this week, pointing to the kind of game where kicking becomes less about routine and more about feel, timing and quick adjustments. With the Browns undefeated at home, Houston is preparing for a tough setting anyway, and Ross framed the forecast as part of the challenge rather than something to fear.
The details matter in conditions like this, where even small changes in wind direction can alter how a kick is handled from snap to finish. Ross also emphasized the role of snapper Austin Brinkman in helping the unit manage the elements, a reminder that these games often come down to the hidden work on special teams. For the Texans, the weather is just another variable in a matchup that already carries plenty of difficulty. [Read more 🡒]