David Montgomery
Montgomery is the Texans' nominal lead back, but he is hurt and was already in a near-even split with Woody Marks, so his usable role depends on how fast the groin heals.
Role
Before the injury he and Marks split snaps nearly evenly. Per Athlon/Yahoo citing PFF, through four games it was 146 snaps for Montgomery and 122 for Marks. In Week 4 it was 32 snaps for Montgomery and 23 for Marks. In Week 3 NBC Sports had it at 32 to 20, with Marks taking the one official goal-line carry. He left Week 5 against the Titans after 9 snaps (14%). Marks then played 56 of 66 snaps (PFF via Athlon/Yahoo), and NBC Sports said no other back got a carry or touch. Montgomery missed Week 6 in London against the Jaguars. Rotowire's depth chart lists Dare Ogunbowale third and British Brooks on injured reserve. I did not fetch the Texans' own depth chart. Coach DeMeco Ryans called the groin week-to-week on Oct. 12, and Houston's bye is Week 8. I found no practice report or coach update newer than the Oct. 19 wire report.
Houston traded for him and gave him a two-year, $16.5 million deal. Aaron Wilson of KPRC called him the primary back and centerpiece of the rushing game in August. He scored three touchdowns in the Week 1 loss to the Bills. If the groin clears, optimists expect him to take back the lead job. Marks' 85% workload came only because Montgomery was hurt mid-game.
Even healthy, he was splitting snaps with Marks, who was gaining on him: 23 snaps in Week 4, then 56 in Week 5. Rotowire lists him at 11.8 touches per game this season. He is 29. A groin injury described as week-to-week can linger, and Marks could keep the larger role after he returns. NBC Sports said Marks should threaten 70% of the snaps if Montgomery's absence is long.
Where analysts split
The open question is whether Montgomery gets the lead role back once healthy, or whether Marks' 56-snap game turns the backfield into a Marks-led split. NBC Sports expects Marks to take a majority of the work if the absence is long. Wilson's preseason framing and the team's trade investment point to Montgomery as the primary back. I did not find a published analyst who firmly argues either side after the injury.
Injury: Out: assessed avoid
Groin injury, missed two games, no clear improvement signal
Montgomery has missed two straight games with this groin injury and his coach offered no sign of improvement post-bye, saying he'll be evaluated through the week. If he sits a third straight game, Marks takes over as lead back.
What would change this: Practice participation reports later in the week and Friday's final designation.
Research confidence: reported. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
Others at RB
Fantasy Memo reads your league and answers that every Tuesday, and checks again before kickoff.
Connect your league: 14 days free