Woody Marks scores in loss to Colts

His touchdown came on a two-minute play where the Cowboys line wasn’t even set, aka the only way any Texans runner can advance the football. Still, he’s faster than David Montgomery and that’s really all the Texans have in their backfield. He’s a FLEX option against the Titans in Week 5.

At least he found a PPR scam role here, but this was ugly stuff as far as production. Marks has battled David Montgomery to a near 50/50 split through two weeks. All that’s really done for fantasy purposes is make neither of them all that interesting. Marks will be on the FLEX radar against the Colts in Week 3.

Marks was a change-up back and also worked two-minute drives — this is a pretty solid runout for him based on how it looked at times this offseason, but it’s going to be hard for him to deliver standalone value with David Montgomery monopolizing the red zone touches. Marks isn’t completely unstartable but is probably more of a what-the-heck FLEX against the Bengals in Week 2.

According to Alexander, the Texans have utilized both running backs nearly evenly throughout camp. Texans OC Nick Caley “doesn’t typically go away from what’s working,” which could result in a hot-hand approach on game day. For now, Montgomery should be treated as the starter, but Marks looked good in last week’s preseason game and should be stashed on benches in 12-team leagues at the very least.

The Texans gave RB David Montgomery the night off, so Marks got the start alongside QB C.J. Stroud. The second-year running back played 10-of-10 first-team snaps before retiring for the evening. Marks looked good tonight, particularly on his 20-yard touchdown run, which required him to weave through traffic and bounce off would-be tacklers twice. The fact that Marks played while Montgomery rested could suggest Montgomery is the clear-cut starter rather than a 1A to Marks’ 1B. The young running back is still worth drafting as a bench stash, with potential standalone FLEX viability

Ryans said the same of Jayden Higgins. He talked about Marks looking faster and making better decisions. In other words, the game is slowing down for Marks as he enters his second NFL season. Houston had no choice but to load Marks up with touches as a rookie. He struggled to make much of the workload, turning 196 carries into 706 yards and just two touchdowns. The team then traded for David Montgomery in the offseason. Montgomery is locked in as the starter, but the comments about Marks could point toward more of a committee than fantasy managers have been expecting.

Barrett said Marks will “pick up some third downs” while also adding he could see more work in the passing game. While David Montgomery, who was acquired from the Lions earlier this offseason, is expected to lead the Texans’ backfield in touches this season, any uptick in the passing game is good news for Marks and his fantasy managers. Marks caught just 24 passes as a rookie last season, but the former USC Trojan was among the best pass-catching backs in the 2025 draft class, and amassed 261 receptions for 1,546 yards and five touchdowns during his five college seasons. Barrett praised Marks for his increased pace of play last season as he became more acclimated to the pro game and said his confidence “is at an all-time high” entering this year. Depending on the volume he sees in the passing game, Marks could have some decent stand alone value in PPR leagues even with Montgomery likely handling most of the early-down and goal-line touches.

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.

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.

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.