Woody Marks
Marks is Houston's lead back for now, because starter David Montgomery is week to week with a groin injury, and how long that lasts sets how long Marks keeps the job.
Role
Aaron Wilson (KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790, Oct 12) reports Marks as the Texans' new primary back with Montgomery expected out for Sunday's game against Jacksonville in London. A Yahoo Sports snap table that I saw only as a snippet lists Marks at 56 snaps and 85% in Week 5 against the Titans. Wilson has Marks at 43 carries for 149 yards (3.5 per carry) and 11 catches on 13 targets for 54 yards this season. Coach DeMeco Ryans said "We'll continue to see more of that." The only other backs I found named are Jawhar Jordan, who was listed as a depth competitor in a CBS offseason note, and Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks, who appeared in last season's reports. I found no current depth chart or confirmation of who backs up Marks this week, and I did not read a depth chart page.
Marks has the job by default and has played well in it. He had his best game of the year on 15 carries for 62 yards, and a 24-yard touchdown run was called back by a holding penalty. Ryans praised his vision, cuts and run blocking, and Wilson says he arrived lighter and leaner than last season. Montgomery has been inefficient (138 yards on 52 carries, 2.7 per carry), so there is little to pull Marks back to a split once he is the lead. Marks also caught all four of his targets Sunday and has a pass-catching and pass-blocking profile that keeps him on the field.
The lead role is built on an injury, not a demotion. Montgomery is a trade acquisition on a two-year, $16.5 million extension, and his return could cut into Marks's work. Through Week 4, Yahoo's PFF-based snap totals had Montgomery ahead, 146 snaps to 122. Marks's 3.5 yards per carry on the season is modest, and Houston ranks 31st in rushing offense, which caps the efficiency of any back. Wilson's report names no goal-line or short-yardage plan for Marks.
Where analysts split
Not much disagreement in the current coverage I found, which is thin on dissent. The open question is Montgomery's timeline: whether Marks's workload lasts beyond this Sunday depends on a groin injury Ryans called week to week. I did not find analysts arguing over Marks's talent or his role while Montgomery is out.
Injury: Questionable: assessed ignore
Brief leg injury, returned to game
Marks missed some second-half action with a leg issue but returned and finished with 19 carries, and the team now has a bye week to let it heal before Week 9.
What would change this: Any practice report or update upon return from bye ahead of Week 9 vs. Chargers
Research confidence: reported. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
Others at RB
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