Overview
- The Texans traded for David Montgomery and signed him to a new contract that projects him as the team's three‑down, early‑down and goal‑line runner.
- Coaches have publicly defined Montgomery as the lead back and praised his physical, between‑the‑tackles running and refined pass‑game skills as reasons he can stabilize Houston’s ground game.
- Second‑year back Woody Marks will move from last season’s lead role into a complementary job that emphasizes third‑down pass‑catching, route work and kickoff‑return duties as he learns the route tree.
- Team staff say the split is designed to reduce Marks’ wear from a heavy rookie workload while preserving his playmaking in space and keeping the offense more balanced to help C.J. Stroud.
- The move is a moderate‑risk, moderate‑reward bet — Montgomery is 29 with past 1,000‑yard production but recent lower usage, and the Texans gave Detroit draft picks and guard Juice Scruggs in the deal to try to improve short‑yardage efficiency.