David Montgomery, now with the Houston Texans after an offseason trade from Detroit, has recorded just two rushing touchdowns through five 2026 games on 52 carries for 138 yards at a 2.7 yards-per-carry average. A groin injury suffered in Week 5 has sidelined him for the past two contests, with coach DeMeco Ryans offering no firm timeline for return ahead of Week 9 at the Chargers. Backup Woody Marks has assumed the lead role in the backfield during Montgomery's absence. The Texans' offense has produced limited scoring opportunities overall, and Montgomery's early-season efficiency has been well below his prior norms with the Lions, where he averaged eight to 13 rushing touchdowns in recent full seasons. His total will hinge on recovery speed, workload share upon return, and offensive line or quarterback improvements.