Woody

Marks

This should put him in line to reclaim a major role in the Texans backfield in Week 17 against the Chargers. Marks would be more of a low-end RB2 play against a good defense in what is projected to be a lower-scoring game, but volume should be on his side if he’s able to be active for the contest. Assuming he actually stays on the field, anyway.

Jawhar Jordan and Nick Chubb will split what would appear to be fantasy-valuable carries against the Raiders. Derek Stingley (oblique) is playing off a questionable tag. Also inactive for the Texans are LB Azeez Al-Shaair (ankle/knee), WR Braxton Berrios, QB Graham Mertz, CB Ameer Speed and T Jarrett Kingston.

As Rapoport notes, expect plenty of Nick Chubb, who is expected to play through a rib injury today. Chubb should indeed lead the backfield, but it wouldn’t be surprising for Jawhar Jordan to see some work as well. Jordan ran for 101 yards on 15 carries with Marks going down early last week. As the top back versus a dead-on-arrival Raiders squad, Chubb is in the RB3 ranks for Week 16. Jordan is a high-risk RB4.

It’s an aggressive listing based on one limited practice, one that perhaps augurs that the Texans are just managing Marks through some existing injuries that they know are going to be tough to overcome in-season. If Marks starts, he’ll be a high-end RB2 against the Raiders. If not, Jawhar Jordan will be a worthwhile plug-and-play starter in Week 16.

Texans beat writer Jonathan Alexander said Marks was seen at practice with a helmet, a good sign that he should log at least a limited session on Friday. The rookie running back was a DNP for the first two practices to start the week, but he could draw a questionable tag if he’s able to practice on a limited basis before the weekend. We will provide an update on his official status when the team releases its final injury report.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans inspired hope when he told reporters that Marks could have returned in Week 15, if the team had needed him. Having missed the first two Week 16 practices, Marks must now be viewed as questionable to play. The Texans (9-5) are in playoff contention, so it is possible that the team is simply giving their featured rookie running back extra time to rest before relying heavily upon him once again on game day. If he can resume practicing tomorrow, he should be good to go. In the meantime, stashing RB Jawhar Jordan is worthwhile. Veteran RB Nick Chubb (ribs) should also be available on game day.

Marks suffered an ankle injury during the Texans’ Week 15 win over the Cardinals and did not return with Houston holding a large lead. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that Marks should be fine, but the rookie begins the week not practicing. It could just be load management, but fantasy managers should roster Jawhar Jordan just in case. Jordan would share the backfield with Nick Chubb in the event Marks cannot go in Week 16 against the Raiders.

Ryans said the team will monitor Marks’ injury this week, but this doesn’t appear to be too big of an issue. Ryans said after Sunday’s game that Marks could have returned against the Cardinals if needed, so his comments on Monday aren’t too surprising. Fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on his practice status throughout the week, but Marks has a nice Week 16 matchup against the Raiders on tap if he is able to go.

It sounds like with a 17-0 lead, Ryans prioritized Marks’ health — this is the third week in a row where he has been pulled mid-game with a nagging lower body injury. Sensible. Not fun for fantasy managers, but sensible. Marks enters Week 16 on the questionable line, with a big game possible against a Raiders defense that allowed 31 points to the Bad Vibes Eagles in Week 15.

Marks had seven carries for 30 yards before leaving, adding a “fumble recovery” touchdown in the box score. Marks is on the sideline jogging and doesn’t seem like he is certainly done for the day, though he doesn’t have his helmet. Jawhar Jordan has been Houston’s main changeup back today with Dare Ogunbowale also mixing in behind Marks.