Woody Marks is getting another crack at a larger role, and this one comes with real weight attached.
With David Montgomery still out, the Houston Texans head to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday asking Marks to do more than just log touches. They need him to help steady the run game, keep C.J.
Stroud on schedule and show he can handle the kind of responsibility that could stick beyond this week. That’s not just about volume.
It’s about whether Houston gives him a plan that actually fits what he can do.
Coach DeMeco Ryans said Nov. 4 that Montgomery would miss the Chargers game as he continues recovering from a groin injury. Ryans called him week-to-week and said he was making progress, according to reporting carried by Yahoo Sports.
The numbers through seven games tell part of the story. Marks has 77 carries for 271 yards and two touchdowns, and his 3.5 yards per carry tops Montgomery’s 2.6.
Neither figure screams comfort for an offense trying to find traction. Marks has also caught 14 passes for 94 yards, which keeps him in the conversation as more than just a runner.
What stands out most is that this is the kind of game where evaluation matters as much as production. Marks can help by making the right decisions, hitting the hole with the right timing and finishing runs with purpose, but he still needs blocking to create something usable in front of him.
The final stat line matters, sure. But so does whether he makes the most of the space he’s given.
For anyone already thinking ahead to next spring’s draft, this is useful evidence. Houston needs to learn what it already has before deciding how much more it needs to add.
The passing game is where this could get interesting.
Marks’ receiving work should be part of the plan, and it should be intentional. A screen with blockers in front, a quick outlet when pressure shows up or a route that creates a clean matchup could give the Texans another easy way to move the ball.
His current receiving numbers show he’s been involved, but they don’t prove he can be a major weapon there. Sunday is another chance to find out.
That kind of contribution may not jump off the screen, but over the course of a game it can matter. A dependable backfield option can help Stroud avoid forcing throws and keep drives alive when receivers are covered.
There’s also the less glamorous part of the job: pass protection.
Marks’ evaluation has to include whether he sees pressure, handles his assignment and gives Stroud enough time to work. Those reps matter even if he never gets the ball.
And Houston has some moving pieces up front, too. The official Nov. 4 practice report listed tackle Braden Smith as limited with an ankle injury, while Blake Fisher participated fully with a thumb injury.
Those designations were just practice statuses, not final word on Sunday.
That makes communication even more important. The line, the backs and Stroud all need to be on the same page when the Chargers start changing looks before the snap.
Marks should have a clear chance here, but the assignment should still be realistic. Give him runs that match what the blocking can handle.
Work him into the passing game. Expect him to do the dirty work that helps keep Stroud upright.
Montgomery’s absence opens the door again. Now it’s on Marks to show he can walk through it. If he helps Houston stay on schedule and finish drives, that should count for something when the backfield gets healthy again.
In Other News...
Texans Trade Rumor Brings Back A Seattle Reunion Fans Remember
The Seahawks deadline activity has already stirred up familiar names, and one of the more intriguing possibilities floating around is a reunion with Jadeveon Clowney. Seattle just landed guard Quenton Nelson from Indianapolis, and with more chatter building around the Colts, the conversation has widened to include another former Seahawk in Clowney, who spent the 2019 season in Seattle before moving on to Houston. For Texans fans, it is the kind of rumor that instantly shifts attention from the standings to what the front office might do next.
Clowney is back in the mix because Houston is still in rebuild mode and could be willing to listen on veterans if the right offer comes along. Nothing has been confirmed, and the Seahawks are also being linked to running back Jonathan Taylor, which adds another layer to the deadline speculation. Still, the idea of Clowney resurfacing in Seattle has enough history behind it to make this one worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
C.J. Stroud May Be Driving Up Houston's Biggest Future Bill
C.J. Strouds rise has already changed the conversation in Houston, even before the Texans have to worry about a new deal. The quarterback reportedly passed on a preseason extension offer worth around $55 million annually, and with the way he is playing this season, that number may not look quite so lofty anymore.
Stroud remains under contract through 2027 after Houston exercised his fifth-year option, so there is no immediate clock ticking on a new agreement. Still, the better he plays now, the more leverage he builds for the next round of negotiations, and the Texans could be staring at an even bigger future bill than the one they were already prepared to pay. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Are Wasting The Version Of C.J. Stroud They Needed Most
C.J. Stroud has done his part through seven games, putting together the kind of efficient start the Texans hoped would steady the offense. He has thrown for 1,867 yards with 11 touchdowns and just one interception, good for a 100.7 passer rating, and the individual production has been there even as the team around him has not matched it.
Houstons 2-5 start has been shaped by the same old problems, with the running game and offensive line both struggling to provide much support and the overall offense still searching for consistency. The bigger concern now is whether the Texans can get the most out of Stroud while he is playing at this level, because strong quarterback play only matters so much if the rest of the operation keeps leaving wins on the table. [Read more 🡒]