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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

David Montgomery

Preferred handcuff

Woody Marks

Marks is the listed No. 2 behind Montgomery.

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

View David Montgomery’s handcuff breakdown

Week 1 analysis published .

How the work could change

A depth chart updated Sept. 8 lists David Montgomery first and Woody Marks second. Marks is the direct replacement projection, though Houston may still divide work.

A depth chart updated Sept. 8 lists David Montgomery first and Woody Marks second. Marks is the direct replacement projection, though Houston may still divide work.

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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 Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Houston Texans full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
David MontgomeryPublished starter		Early-down runner2019 · Round 3 · Pick 73active
RB2
Woody MarksPublished handcuff		Receiving back2025 · Round 4 · Pick 116active
RB3
British Brooks		Change-of-pace back2024 · Undraftedactive
Unlisted
Jawhar Jordan		Role under review2024 · Round 6 · Pick 205practice squad
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 — source review needed

Traded from Detroit to lead Houston's ground game — tough, decisive between the tackles and a willing blocker. At 29 with a torn MCL two years back, he is a durability question, and the Texans split camp reps close to evenly with Marks.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

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.

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

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 2025, his 17 recorded games include 158 carries and 24 receptions on 29 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 · Receiving 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 — source review needed

Led Houston in rushing as a rookie (196 carries, 703 yds) when injuries forced him between the tackles, and now slides back to his natural pass-catching role. Split camp reps nearly evenly with Montgomery and has already proven he can carry the load — a strong handcuff.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind David Montgomery. 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. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A receiving specialist can retain passing-down work without becoming the lead runner. A bigger rushing role could go to a different teammate even if this player appears higher on the chart.

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 2025, his 16 recorded games include 196 carries and 24 receptions on 36 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

British Brooks

Age 26 · 3 years of NFL experience · active

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. 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 David Montgomery. The dated board currently prefers Woody Marks 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. 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 2025, his 8 recorded games include 17 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

Unlisted · Role under review

Jawhar Jordan

Age 27 · 1 years of NFL experience · practice squad

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

Jawhar Jordan is a second-year player listed by HOU at RB, from Louisville. The official roster lists him at 5-10 and 185 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

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

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 · Role under review

Noah Whittington

Age 24 · Rookie · practice squad

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

Noah Whittington is a rookie listed by HOU at RB, from Oregon. The official roster lists him at 5-8 and 203 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

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.

Player research sources

The production behind the names

2025 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2025 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
David Montgomery
17158249089.8
Woody Marks
16196249119.1
British Brooks
8170781.0
Jawhar Jordan
—————
Noah Whittington
—————
David Montgomery: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 1310 touches
Wk 147 touches
Wk 157 touches
Wk 164 touches
Wk 1712 touches
Wk 189 touches
Woody Marks: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 1217 touches
Wk 1320 touches
Wk 1428 touches
Wk 158 touches
Wk 1720 touches
Wk 1812 touches
British Brooks: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 92 touches
Wk 120 touches
Wk 140 touches
Wk 150 touches
Wk 160 touches
Wk 1813 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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