DavidMontgomery

News: 3 days agoMontgomery rushed 11 times for 33 yards while catching both of his targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Colts.

Spin: Montgomery was stuffed for no gain on a fourth-and-1 in Colts territory in the first quarter, and he watched Woody Marks convert a one-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. Marks has 29 touches to Montgomery's 44 through three games, and it's concerning that Montgomery isn't monopolizing short-yardage opportunities after scoring three short TDs in the season opener. Neither running back has found much running room behind Houston's underwhelming offensive line, and Montgomery is averaging just 2.8 yards per carry heading into a Week 4 home game against the Cowboys.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Montgomery was traded to Houston after spending his first seven NFL seasons with Chicago and Detroit. The veteran back is coming off a down year in 2025, when he posted career lows in touches (182), yardage (908, his first season under 1,000) and fantasy points per game (9.8). Montgomery was still effective as a rusher (4.53 yards per carry, 2.28 yards after contact) but lost work to Jahmyr Gibbs and wasn't involved much as receiver. The latter doesn't figure to change much in Houston, and while Montgomery is a decent bet to pace the team in carries, second-year back Woody Marks figures to sustain a substantial offensive role. Montgomery enters his age-29 season as a touchdown-dependent flex with limited upside.