Texans land touchdown machine RB David Montgomery in trade splash

The Houston Texans have landed veteran running back David Montgomery in a trade with the Detroit Lions, sending offensive lineman Juice Scruggs along with fourth- and seventh-round picks to Detroit.

It’s the latest deal in what’s already been an active day across the league, and the second involving Houston after GM Nick Caserio dealt Tytus Howard to Cleveland.

From the Texans' perspective, the appeal wasn't complicated. Montgomery has 59 career touchdowns and has averaged 4.4 yards per carry over the past three seasons.

He runs with intent, finishes through contact, and knows where the goal line is. for a Texans ground game that lacked bite at times, that profile makes perfect sense.

Montgomery's arrival likely squeezes Woody Marks’ workload. The 25-year-old showed flashes in his rookie year, but his 3.6 yards per carry left room for improvement.

Scruggs hasn’t fully broken through since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2023, but he adds youth and flexibility - two traits the Lions consistently prioritise.

The draft compensation won’t turn heads, but extra mid-round capital rarely hurts. It gives Detroit options as the roster continues to evolve.

It also brings an end to the popular “Knuckles and Sonic” pairing in the backfield. With Montgomery gone, the spotlight shifts even more firmly onto dynamic tailback Jahmyr Gibbs.