The Houston Texans have pulled off an offseason trade after health concerns affected the rushing attack. The team is bringing in veteran running back David Montgomery.
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According to veteran Texans beat reporter Aaron Wilson, the AFC South team will send guard Juice Scruggs, a fourth-round pick, and a seventh-round pick to the Lions in exchange for the running back known as "Knuckles."
Montgomery entered the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2019 Draft. He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears, rushing for 3,609 yards and 26 touchdowns. He added another 1,240 yards and four touchdowns as a receiving option.
Montgomery moved to Detroit ahead of the 2023 season. He led the rushing attack with 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first season with the team.
All three seasons have seen Montgomery working in a timeshare with Jahmyr Gibbs, the Sonic to his Knuckles.
Gibbs was more of a secondary option as a rookie in 2023, but he has taken the lead the past two seasons while rushing for more than 1,200 yards each season and 29 combined touchdowns. Gibbs has added more than 1,100 yards as a receiver and nine scores.
While Gibbs has seen his workload increase, Montgomery has still produced when given opportunities. He has rushed for at least 700 yards the last two seasons while scoring 20 rushing touchdowns.
This marks the third time in recent seasons that GM Nick Caserio has swung a deal for a running back. He traded for former Bengals back Joe Mixon ahead of the 2024 season and then he signed former Browns back Nick Chubb to a one-year deal ahead of the 2025 season.
The Mixon trade paid dividends in the first season. He rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns while earning a trip to the Pro Bowl. However, Mixon missed the entire 2025 season due to a "freak" foot injury.
Chubb, who only played in 10 combined games in 2023-2024, didn't lead the Texans rushing attack. He shared the workload with rookie Woody Marks. He still rushed for more than 500 yards and three touchdowns.
This deal for Montgomery marked the second trade of the day for the Texans. The AFC South team also sent offensive lineman Tytus Howard to the Browns in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
