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2026 NFL backfield

Houston Texans running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Woody Marks

Preferred handcuff

Dare Ogunbowale

Only healthy back left behind Woody Marks

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View Woody Marks’s handcuff breakdown

Week 7 analysis published .

The game covered by this analysis has started or finished. This is a record of that window, not a recommendation for the next game.

How the work could change

Today's Week 7 inactive list names RB David Montgomery among Houston's inactives for a second straight week, so Woody Marks starts and Ogunbowale is the only other healthy back: Jawhar Jordan and British Brooks are out, Noah Whittington is out on the practice squad, and Deuce Vaughn is not dressed. Ogunbowale is free almost everywhere, and for him to matter Marks would have to leave the game - he was signed off a practice squad on Sept. 29 for special teams, not carries, and has no 2026 carries. Fact: he is the lone backup dressed. Projection: role if called on. Montgomery is a hold, not a drop, with no dated return expectation beyond week-to-week framing.

David Montgomery is inactive again for Week 7 against the Giants, his second straight absence, with no published return date; Houston's bye follows in Week 8, so any return is unstated and the timetable should be treated as unknown. Woody Marks has led the backfield for three weeks and averaged 18 touches over the last two games, making him the actionable starter. Behind him only Dare Ogunbowale is dressed, which raises his emergency floor without giving him a role. Montgomery is worth stashing through the bye rather than cutting.

Starter note from the published board: Listed starter David Montgomery is Inactive; Woody Marks steps in.

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The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Houston Texans, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Tue, Oct 27, 2:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

The feed lists David Montgomery at RB1; the dated board names Woody Marks as starter. Review the sourced explanation above for this disagreement. Feed order is preserved below.

Houston Texans full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
David Montgomery		Early-down runner2019 · Round 3 · Pick 73active
RB2
Woody MarksPublished starter		Three-down back2025 · Round 4 · Pick 116active
RB3
Dare OgunbowalePublished handcuff		Change-of-pace back2017 · Undraftedactive
RB4
British Brooks		Change-of-pace back2024 · Undraftedinjured reserve
Unlisted
Deuce Vaughn		Change-of-pace backDraft history unavailablepractice squad
Unlisted
Jawhar Jordan		Change-of-pace back2024 · Round 6 · Pick 205active
Unlisted
Noah Whittington		Role under reviewDraft history unavailablepractice squad

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Early-down runner

David Montgomery

Age 29 · 8 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment

Out again for Week 7, a second straight absence, with no dated return expectation beyond the week-to-week framing from Oct. 12. Houston's bye follows in Week 8, so a Week 9 return is plausible but unstated - treat the timetable as unknown. He was the lead and goal-line back before the injury, so this is a bench hold, not a drop. Woody Marks is the healthy pickup.

Scouting assessment saved Sat, Oct 24, 4:00 AM EDT.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Woody Marks. The dated board currently prefers Dare Ogunbowale for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2019 · Round 3 · Pick 73

Drafted by CHI; not necessarily his current team.

Day-two draft investment adds prospect context. His current role, availability and competition still decide whether he gets the next opportunity.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 5 recorded games include 52 carries and 7 receptions on 7 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Three-down back

Woody Marks

Age 25 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment

Running it for a third straight week: Rotoworld has him again leading the backfield with Montgomery out, averaging 18.0 touches over the last two games. Jawhar Jordan went on IR Oct. 21, leaving Dare Ogunbowale as the No. 2 until Montgomery is healthy, so the share is secure through Houston's Week 8 bye. He carried 196 times as a rookie, so a full load is proven, not projected.

Scouting assessment saved Sat, Oct 24, 4:00 AM EDT.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: David Montgomery. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2025 · Round 4 · Pick 116

Drafted by HOU; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 7 recorded games include 77 carries and 14 receptions on 17 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Change-of-pace back

Dare Ogunbowale

Age 32 · 9 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Signed off the Raiders' practice squad to Houston's 53-man roster on Sept. 29 (date-only evidence), a reunion the local report called a 'minor move' driven by special teams (1,000-plus ST snaps across four prior Texans seasons) and leadership rather than carries. Montgomery's Week 5 groin injury raises his emergency floor, but Woody Marks is next in line; treat him as depth, not a pickup.

Scouting assessment saved Mon, Oct 12, 3:54 AM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Woody Marks. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: David Montgomery, Woody Marks. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2017 · Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 1 recorded game include 0 carries and 0 receptions on 0 targets. Receiving volume is not established by these records. Do not read that as proof he cannot catch or protect the quarterback.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB4 · Change-of-pace back

British Brooks

Age 26 · 3 years of NFL experience · injured reserve

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Fringe-roster third back and special-teams body. No meaningful offensive role; Houston would look outside the building before giving him carries.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. This assessment is older than 14 days or has an invalid date; current-role review is needed. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Woody Marks. The dated board currently prefers Dare Ogunbowale for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: David Montgomery, Woody Marks, Dare Ogunbowale. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2024 · Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 1 recorded game include 0 carries and 0 receptions on 0 targets. Receiving volume is not established by these records. Do not read that as proof he cannot catch or protect the quarterback.

His roster feed status is injured reserve. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Change-of-pace back

Deuce Vaughn

Age 24 · 3 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment

New profile. Practice-squad depth in Houston, named by RotoWire on Oct. 12 as one of two practice-squad candidates for a depth role with David Montgomery out. Houston elevated Jawhar Jordan instead for Week 6, so Vaughn has no reported path to touches behind Woody Marks and Dare Ogunbowale. Too little verified usage to project more than emergency depth.

Scouting assessment saved Sun, Oct 18, 3:57 AM EDT.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Woody Marks. The dated board currently prefers Dare Ogunbowale for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Change-of-pace back

Jawhar Jordan

Age 27 · 1 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment

On IR as of Oct. 21 with the injury undisclosed and no timetable, immediately after the best game of his career: elevated for Week 6 in London, he ran six times for 43 yards and a score, including Houston's longest run of the season. Dare Ogunbowale replaces him as the No. 2 behind Woody Marks. Out at least four games, and no role is being held for him.

Scouting assessment saved Sat, Oct 24, 4:00 AM EDT.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Woody Marks. The dated board currently prefers Dare Ogunbowale for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2024 · Round 6 · Pick 205

Drafted by HOU; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 1 recorded game include 6 carries and 1 receptions on 1 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Noah Whittington

Age 24 · Rookie · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Individual scouting research is pending. The recorded workload and draft history below provide the available context.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Woody Marks. The dated board currently prefers Dare Ogunbowale for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A clear role assessment is not available. Rushing experience, receiving usage and protection responsibilities need checking before treating him as a direct replacement.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

The production behind the names

2026 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2026 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Woody Marks
777143658.9
Dare Ogunbowale
10000.0
British Brooks
10000.0
David Montgomery
55272059.1
Deuce Vaughn
—————
Jawhar Jordan
1615012.0
Noah Whittington
—————
Woody Marks: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2026

Wk 213 touches
Wk 36 touches
Wk 46 touches
Wk 519 touches
Wk 617 touches
Wk 720 touches
Dare Ogunbowale: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 1 recorded games in 2026

Wk 60 touches
British Brooks: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 1 recorded games in 2026

Wk 20 touches
David Montgomery: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 5 recorded games in 2026

Wk 123 touches
Wk 28 touches
Wk 313 touches
Wk 410 touches
Wk 55 touches
Jawhar Jordan: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 1 recorded games in 2026

Wk 67 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

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