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Woody Marks
RB · HOU

Woody Marks

Position RB
Team HOU
Bye Week 8
PPR Rank #130

Woody Marks

NFL player. Position: RB. Team: HOU.

Quick Facts

  • Position: RB
  • Team: HOU (Houston Texans)
  • Bye week (2026): 8
  • FantasyPros PPR rank (pulled 2026-05-21): 130

2026 Outlook

Role shift to pass-catcher: After logging 700+ rushing yards as a second-year back in 2025, Marks will transition into a complementary receiving role with the arrival of David Montgomery. According to Marks (May 17), he's working extensively on his route tree with OC Nick Caley and shifting identity from bellcow to "change-of-pace back" with much of his 2026 volume coming through the passing game. Marks sees the Montgomery partnership as a net positive—"less I can take off my body" with fresh legs available (per Woody Marks' Latest Comments Reveal His Texans Role for 2026). This follows a Detroit model where Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs complemented each other successfully, with one handling ground work and one providing receiving threat.

Training camp committee approach (July 22): NFL Network's Jane Slater reported that the Texans plan to split lead back reps between Montgomery and Marks during training camp rather than making Montgomery a bellcow. The 2025 numbers reveal Marks' rookie workload capacity: 229 total carries (regular season + playoffs) with 242 routes run, producing 832 rushing yards, 227 receiving yards, and 3 TDs despite chronic minor injuries that limited his availability (frequent visits to the training tent without landing on IR). Marks' ability to execute on 471 total touches as a rookie while managing injury fluctuations suggests the Texans value his durability and dual-threat abilities. The committee approach keeps Marks fresher while Montgomery's lower 2025 usage (158 carries with Lions) gives him fresh legs—making the split reps strategically sound for a "Lombardi Trophy mission" focused on long-term health rather than individual production. Marks has earned trust from OC Nick Caley based on his 2025 performance, including a 100-yard, 1-TD playoff debut against Pittsburgh (per Jane Slater's report hints the Texans may have a smarter running back plan).

Chubb retirement (Aug 22): Nick Chubb announced his NFL retirement after eight seasons; he started 2025 as Houston's lead back but fourth-round rookie Woody Marks passed him down the stretch—Chubb finished with 506 rushing yards and three TDs in 15 games. Marks' path to a larger 2026 role is clearer with Chubb gone. (per Former Browns, Texans RB Nick Chubb announces retirement - ESPN)

Third-down specialist role (July 2026): Yahoo Sports highlighted Marks as Houston's "third-down catalyst" under OC Nick Caley. Marks is being specifically groomed to handle third-down duties, with Caley designing "all types of routes" for him throughout minicamp. His elite pass-protection skills earned glowing reviews from running back coach Danny Barrett, building immediate trust for staying on field in critical situations. Expect option routes and mismatches against linebackers in space—Marks' speed and receiving prowess make him ideally suited to moving the chains. Additionally, the Texans are preparing him for a prominent role on special teams (kickoff return) under the NFL's updated dynamic kickoff rules, maximizing his short-area quickness and vision to add another dimension to his 2026 contribution (per The Third-Down Catalyst: Deep Diving Woody Marks' Evolving Role in Houston).

Fantasy outlook: Marks becomes a scoring-volume play dependent on red-zone work and receiving touches—not a high-volume rusher anymore. His appeal hinges on catch totals and TDs. At RB130 on FantasyPros, he's likely a late-round flyer with upside if he's heavily involved in the receiving game, but ceiling is capped by shared carries with Montgomery. The committee approach likely means 15-20 carries per week rather than bellcow 20+ usage.

Week 5+ opportunity with Montgomery injury (Oct 11+): David Montgomery suffered a groin injury during the Texans' Week 5 game against Tennessee and was ruled out with an expected week-to-week absence. With Montgomery sidelined, Marks is positioned as the Texans' primary running back going forward, creating a significant fantasy opportunity. Combined with his elevation on waiver wire pickups (consensus top-3 add for Week 6), Marks could become a viable RB2/flex option depending on the length of Montgomery's groin injury recovery. The Texans' Week 8 bye provides Montgomery recovery time but may extend Marks' elevated role into later October. (per NFL news live updates and NFL Injury Report & Analysis).

Role / Depth Chart

Second RB / primary receiving option. Marks is #2 on the depth chart with David Montgomery as the starter. Texans' scheme positions Marks as the "change-of-pace" and slot-receiving option, with Nick Caley designing routes to leverage his speed and explosiveness out of the backfield.

Injury Status

Healthy.

Recent News

Open Questions

(scoped to this player — pulled from Fantasy Football Open Questions)

Coaches shaping Woody's role

DeMeco RyansHead CoachNick CaleyOffensive CoordinatorCole PopovichOffensive Line / Offensive Run Game CoordinatorRod WrightDefensive Line / Defensive Run Game CoordinatorDanny BarrettAssistant Head Coach / Running Backs

What the Experts Are Saying

FantasyProsFantasy Football Start or Sit Lineup Advice: Experts Pick Who To Start Week 6 (2026)
Fantasy Football TodayWeek 6 Fantasy Football RANKINGS & Tiers: QB, RB, WR, & TE + Starts & Sits | 2026 Fantasy Football
The Fantasy Headliners🔥 NEW TOP 30 RB RANKINGS for Week 6 Fantasy Football 🚀 | Fantasy Football Rankings