Texans Make RB Decision After David Montgomery News

Houston Texans running back David Montgomery has been ruled out against the New York Giants, potentially opening a major role for Woody Marks.

by Chris Trant

Oct 24, 2026

Houston Texans running back David Montgomery (32)

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The Houston Texans are beginning to turn their campaign around after starting the 2026 NFL season 0-4. After back-to-back victories against the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars, two crucial division wins have brought them to 2-4. Houston will look to extend that momentum Sunday against the New York Giants.

While the Texans have improved over recent weeks, the team still has issues, and at 2-4, they do not have a lot of room for error. One of the biggest concerns has been the running game, as the Texans have struggled to generate any consistent production on the ground. Running back David Montgomery was brought in during the offseason to help stabilize the backfield, but his first season in Houston has been disappointing.

Sep 20, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back David Montgomery (32) is introduced before playing against the Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium.

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In his five games this season, Montgomery has rushed the ball 52 times for just 138 yards and two touchdowns, averaging a brutal 2.7 yards per carry. As a team, Houston is 25th in rushing yards per game with 84.8.

The Texans acquired Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in March, but injuries have also played a role in his limited production in Houston. Montgomery suffered a groin injury during the team’s Week 5 win over the Titans and missed the following week against the Jaguars.

Now, Montgomery has been ruled out for the second straight game.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the Texans will have just two running backs active against the Giants in Woody Marks and Dare Ogunbowale. They are reportedly “Not elevating practice squad running back Deuce Vaughn.”

Last week against the Jaguars, Marks received 17 touches for 81 yards, and 19 touches for 85 yards in Week 5 against the Titans. Montgomery’s injury will now give Marks another opportunity to bear a heavy workload and build on the increased role he has already started to earn.

For Houston, the decision to go into the game with only Marks and Ogunbowale suggests the Texans are comfortable placing significant responsibility on the second-year back while Montgomery remains sidelined.