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    David Montgomery to lead Texans’ backfield split?

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    HOU Running Back #32
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    NFL Network’s Jane Slater reports that Texans RB David Montgomery will “get a healthy amount” of touches, but “health, game flow and matchups” can dictate backfield workloads.

    Yesterday, Slater indicated that Montgomery will likely have “slightly” more work than RB Woody Marks this year. She went on Good Morning Football to clarify her comments today, saying the Texans envision “meaningful roles” for both players. NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson reported something similar earlier this month. Early in June, NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported that the Texans view Montgomery as “a potential three-down back if needed.” It sounds like that might not be needed. Slater notes, “one issue” is that both players must buy in to the idea of a split backfield, albeit with Montgomery in the lead role. Slater indicates that Montgomery wanted more work than he was getting with the Lions last year, and that the Texans “seemed like an attractive spot” for him. Houston, however, believed Montgomery would be “great for our guy, Woody Marks, who we already saw flashes from.” First-team training camp reps should help us assess whether a 55-45 split is in play. Stay tuned.
Kittle's grass field comments raise NFLPA concerns
George Kittle's comments on grass fields sparked a broader discussion about player leadership, with Mike Florio arguing that major NFLPA initiatives struggle to gain traction without support from the NFL's biggest stars.

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  • HOU Running Back #4
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    Wilson writes that the Texans “envision a solid workload for Marks that includes third-down pass-catching duties and carries along with a new role on kickoff returns.” Texans RB coach and assistant head coach Danny Barrett said Marks’ “role is going to pick up some third downs, special teams,” and Marks adds that OC Nick Caley has him running “all types of routes.” It sounds like Marks will be involved on third down, but perhaps not featured. If Marks can secure the lead third-down role, and potentially the two-minute drill role, he may be able to generate PPR RB2 scam/FLEX stat lines this season.
  • HOU Running Back #32
    Caley called plays for the first time in his career last year. His neutral situation pass play rate varied dramatically at different points in the season, going from 55.1 percent before the Week 6 bye to 64.1 percent in Weeks 7-12. He dropped back down to 55.8 percent after that. We expect him to remain in this range in 2026. Caley also believes balance can be achieved via “the usage of different players,” and remarked positively on the versatility achieved by using multi-tight end sets. Heavier personnel packages allow one to “deploy different types of blocking schemes” and attack “different surfaces” while effectively extending the offensive line. New Texans starting RB David Montgomery should benefit from Caley’s renewed commitment to running a heavy, balanced offense.
  • HOU Running Back #32
    The “if needed” is a bit of a buzzkill, but it should surprise nobody if Montgomery is a heavy-touch player in Houston’s offense this season after coming over in an offseason trade. Woody Marks is not guaranteed to have a major role if Montgomery can handle third downs as well. Montgomery mostly ceded these roles to Jahmyr Gibbs with the Lions; it is no insult to Marks to note that he is not Gibbs.
  • HOU Running Back
    It’s a pay raise for Montgomery, who can make $16.5 million over two years. Per KPRC'2 Aaron Wilson, Montgomery’s upgraded contract also includes a $6.5 million signing bonus along with a fully guaranteed $1.5 million base salary for 2026, while his 2027 numbers will include a base salary of $7.5 million with $2 million of that guaranteed. Montgomery was previously owed non-guaranteed money for each of the next two seasons. The soon-to-be 29-year-old running back was acquired from the Lions in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick and figures to be the RB1 of the Texans’ backfield in 2026.
  • HOU Running Back #5
    Just days after it was reported that Montgomery wanted out of Detroit — a report he refuted — the veteran running back is now on his way to Houston. The soon-to-be 29-year-old will presumably take over as the Texans’ RB1 this season with Joe Mixon likely on the way out, and Woody Marks an early candidate to handle more of a passing-downs role. Montgomery rushed 343 times for 1,491 yards and 20 touchdowns in his final two seasons in Detroit while catching another 60 passes for 533 scoreless yards. Barring an extension, Montgomery will enter 2026 with two years left on his contract with a chance to earn another deal in 2028. In addition to Scruggs, the Texans also sent a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Lions.
  • DET Running Back #5
    Montgomery took to his X account to quote a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that he wanted out of Detroit. The veteran running back wrote in his post, “Damn, Dmo told you that?” Suggesting reports of his desire to leave the Motor City are untrue. It’s not the first time we’ve seen players refute a report like this, and it won’t be the last. It’s also not uncommon to learn later down the road that these reports were true even if they didn’t come from the player himself. Either way, what we can confirm is that Montgomery had a career low in carries (158) and rushing yards (716) last season with the Lions and is under contract for two more seasons. With the Lions reportedly willing to move him for a Day 3 pick in this year’s draft, it’s possible his time with the team could come to an end whether he wants it to or not.
  • DET Running Back #5
    Montgomery “wants out” per Fowler, and Fowler connects him to the Seahawks if Seattle fails to re-sign Kenneth Walker. There’s an argument to be made that Montgomery would be an easy second place to Walker in the free agent rankings if he were actually a free agent. His workload has been kept low by years of splitting snaps with Jahmyr Gibbs, and he’s still in his late prime entering his age-29 season. The buzz continues to point towards Montgomery being moved.
  • DET Running Back #5
    It sure sounds like the Lions could move on from Montgomery in a trade. Entering his age-29 season, Montgomery could emerge as a solid fantasy RB2 in the right situation this offseason. This Lions enter the offseason roughly $10 million over the cap, releasing Montgomery would free up $3.5 million. It is also possible that Montgomery simply wants a bigger role than he had down the stretch during Jahmyr Gibbs’ takeover. Montgomery had 10 or more carries just once after Week 10. Holmes said: “We’d love to have him ... But obviously a player has to want to be at a certain place as well.”
  • DET Running Back #5
    Montgomery joined the Fantasy Football Happy Hour at Super Bowl week and expressed optimism when discussing new Lions OC Drew Petzing. The 28-year-old running back said Petzing knows exactly what needs to happen next season, possibly alluding to more touches for himself. Montgomery had 185 carries and 38 targets in 2024, but those numbers dipped to 158 carries and 29 targets in 2025. Lions general manager Brad Holmes said the team would discuss Montgomery’s future this offseason at his season-ending press conference and it seems like the former Bears third-round pick is on board with the Lions’ plan for 2026.
  • HOU Running Back #27
    Playing through a shoulder injury, Marks kept getting stood up on the inside as the Texans’ passing attack disintegrated into a turnover-marred disaster. The No. 116 overall pick of the draft, Marks easily passed veteran Nick Chubb on the depth chart but was slowed by ankle issues down the stretch. Highly inefficient, he churned up just 703 yards on 196 carries (3.6 YPC). He was just as uninspiring by more advanced metrics, finishing in the bottom third in NextGenStats’ “rush yards over expected.” Free agent Chubb will likely be gone for 2026, but 25-year-old Marks didn’t do enough to stave off draft or free agent additions. He will nevertheless be the favorite for lead duties, making him a decent enough RB2/3 in dynasty leagues.

Rotoworld

  • ARI Offensive Lineman #70
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    Cardinals activated OT Paris Johnson from the physically unable to perform list.

    Johnson lasted all of three days on PUP before the team deemed him healthy enough to activate. The Cardinals are currently in day three of camp but have yet to progress to padded practices. The former first round pick will again be charged with protecting the quarterback’s blind side and will need to turn the corner on the field if the Cardinals want to make good on their investment.
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    49ers placed TE George Kittle on the physically unable to perform list.

    Speaking to the media Saturday, 49ers general manager John Lynch said that Kittle, Alfred Collins, and Isaac Guerendo will be moved to the PUP list ahead of the start of camp but that he is “optimistic on all of them hitting the practice field sooner than later.” As a reminder, players can be moved from the PUP list at any point during camp, meaning the fact that they currently find themselves with that designation does not mean they will miss anything meaningful to their fantasy value in 2026.
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    Rams signed QB Ty Simpson to a four-year, $25.4 million contract.

    The contract comes fully guaranteed and includes a $14.94 million signing bonus and fifth-year option. Simpson should immediately challenge for the primary backup role behind veteran starter Matthew Stafford, the latter of whom recently signed a one-year extension that ties him to the Rams through the 2027 season. It appears as if Simpson will learn behind Stafford for a couple seasons before hopefully ascending to a franchise quarterback in a Sean McVay offense.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
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    Rams HC Sean McVay said WR Puka Nacua will be at training camp and will participate in practices.

    Entering the final year of his rookie contract, there was some speculation that Nacua would hold out for an extension this offseason. That said, Nacua was present with the team in April for their offseason program, never truly giving any credence to the rumors. The somewhat troubled offseason notwithstanding, Nacua sets up well to return first-round value in fantasy circles as the primary option through the air for the Rams in 2026.
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    49ers HC Kyle Shanahan suffered non-life-threatening injuries as the result of a car accident last week.

    Shanahan will participate in team activities on a limited basis at the start of training camp as he recovers, according to a statement released by the team. Assistant Head Coach Chris Foerster and coordinators will handle head coach responsibilities during this period. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs, his hand, needed more than 40 stiches in his face and suffered a severe concussion following the collision with an SUV near Shanahan’s home on July 14. He was taken to the hospital by paramedics and spent most of the day there before he was released. According to Schefter, Shanahan is believed to be healing well. The 46-year-old head coach has guided the 49ers to at least 12 wins in three of the last four seasons.
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    Lions S Kerby Joseph (knee) implied that he’ll avoid the PUP list ahead of training camp.

    Lions veterans won’t report to training camp until Monday, but Joseph implied in a tweet on Saturday morning that he’ll avoid the PUP list. In response to a question about going on the PUP list, the 25-year-old safety wrote, “How much y’all wanna bet I’m not on there.” It’s not much, but it’s the first positive signal for Joseph’s health in quite some time. After missing the last 11 games of the 2025 season with a knee injury, Joseph was held out of minicamp. In early June, Dan Campbell told reporters he didn’t know what to expect from Joseph this season. Joseph started all 17 games in 2024, when he had a league-leading nine interceptions and was named a first-team All-Pro. The former third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft signed a massive four-year, $86 million extension prior to to last season. Joseph’s 20 interceptions are the second-most all-time for a safety in his first four seasons (Ed Reed, 22). A healthy Joseph would be a game-changer for the Lions defense.
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    Patriots signed rookie EDGE Gabe Jacas to a four-year, $8.6 million contract.

    The news was first reported by Jordan Schultz. Jacas, who the Patriots traded up to select in the second-round, reportedly missed OTAs and minicamp due to a clean-up knee procedure. The 22-year-old EDGE out of Illinois wasn’t on the field for the first day of Patriots training camp on Saturday, but with the contract now signed, he’s clear to officially report to the team.
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    Patriots owner Robert Kraft told reporters the team has offered CB Christian Gonzalez a contract that would make him the highest paid cornerback in the NFL.

    The number to beat is $31 million. That’s the highest average annual value currently at the cornerback position and it comes from Rams CB Trent McDuffie’s four-year, $124 million extension that included $100 million guaranteed. Gonzalez, who was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time last year, is aiming for a contract in that range. He reported to mandatory minicamp earlier this offseason, but didn’t participate in drills. Gonzalez was spotted at Patriots training camp on Saturday. While he doesn’t officially have a new contract quite yet, negotiations appear to be coming to an end. Kraft stated that the team hopes to have Gonzalez, who turned 24 last month, for a long time.
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    NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe believes Dolphins WR Caleb Douglas has a chance to earn a starting role this year.

    In a recent NFL Network segment, Wolfe discussed two rookies that he will be watching next week in training camp “who could make a big Year 1 impact.” On the defensive side of the ball, Wolfe understandably lists first-round rookie CB Chris Johnson. On the offensive side, Wolfe lists Douglas, a third-round rookie. All of the Dolphins’ wide receiver roles are wide open. Passing production could be volatile in the Dolphins’ offense, but Douglas is a player to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.
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    ESPN’s Todd Archer reports that the Cowboys “had high interest” in former Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby when he shared plans to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft.

    Archer cites multiple sources on this one. Sorsby’s gambling issues were reportedly not enough to dissuade the Cowboys from considering him as a potential long-term replacement for QB Dak Prescott, who turns 33 next week and is signed through 2028. In the end, the NFL declined to hold a supplemental draft this year, preventing the Cowboys from potentially drafting him at “a lower-than-expected price.” Perhaps they will revisit the idea next offseason.