The Houston Texans are heading into Week 9 still short-handed in the backfield, with head coach DeMeco Ryans ruling out David Montgomery for another game as the team comes out of its Week 8 bye.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston reported that Ryans told reporters Montgomery will remain out, though the running back has made enough progress to suggest a return may not be far off. Wilson wrote, "Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said David Montgomery (groin) will still be out, week to week, and has made 'progress,'"
Montgomery’s absence means another week of Woody Marks carrying the load. The backup has already shown some flashes since stepping into the lead role, and Week 9 gives him a chance to do more against a Chargers defense that has struggled to hold up.
For Montgomery, this will be his third missed game since suffering the groin injury against the Tennessee Titans in Week 5. He’s now been sidelined for four weeks because of the issue, even though only three games have come off the board so far.
There is at least some reason to think the wait may be nearing an end. Because the Texans never placed Montgomery on injured reserve, a Week 10 return is still on the table. If that doesn’t happen, Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts would also be a welcome spot for him to get back.
At 2-5, Houston is running out of room to make a push in the AFC South and for a playoff spot. Getting Montgomery back would help, but for now, the Texans will have to keep moving without him in Week 9.
In Other News...
Chargers May Refuse To Move Tuli Tuipulotu Despite Growing Buzz
Tuli Tuipulotu has become one of the more intriguing names to watch as the NFL trade deadline nears, but the Chargers do not appear eager to turn that interest into a deal. The 24-year-old pass rusher has drawn buzz because of his strong play and the uncertainty around his contract situation, yet Los Angeles is signaling it wants to keep building around its own pieces rather than entertain a move.
The backdrop is simple enough: Tuipulotu is in the final year of his rookie deal, and the long-term picture has already been complicated by failed extension talks. Even with the Chargers stuck in a winless season, the current thinking is that the front office would rather hold onto a productive young defender than shop him for short-term help, which leaves rival teams waiting to see whether that stance changes before the deadline. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Face One Huge Khalil Mack Deadline Question
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Jim Harbaugh has made it clear Mack remains an important part of what the Chargers are building, even as rumors swirl around the veteran pass rusher. For a team trying to stay competitive in a division loaded with deadline intrigue, the question is less about whether Mack still matters and more about how long that matters can hold up if outside interest keeps building before the deadline passes. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers May Be Waiting Too Long To Trust Omarion Hampton
The Chargers have spent much of the season easing Omarion Hampton into the offense rather than leaning on him as a steady feature of the running game. For a rookie who showed promise in his first year, that has left some room for questions about how long Los Angeles wants to keep him in a part-time role while the backfield continues to be shared.
Jim Harbaugh has already acknowledged the need to evaluate Hamptons workload and think about expanding his chances. The bigger issue now is whether the Chargers are waiting too long to make that adjustment, especially with the team still searching for the right formula to get more out of its ground game. [Read more 🡒]