March 2 (UPI) — The Detroit Lions have agreed to trade veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, league sources told United Press International on Monday.
The Texans agreed to send offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft to the Lions in exchange for Montgomery.
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The seven-year veteran was a third-round pick of the Chicago Bears in the 2019 NFL Draft and has spent the past three seasons in Detroit.
Montgomery, 28, totaled 908 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games last season. In his first two seasons with the Lions, he totaled 2,248 scrimmage yards and 25 touchdowns while teaming up with one of the best backfields in the NFL.
Last season, Montgomery and Gibbs set an NFL record by becoming the first teammates to each score 15 touchdowns in the same game. The previous record was held by Dallas Cowboys legends Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston at 14 games.
Running back David Montgomery (5) had 908 yards from scrimmage and eight scores for the Detroit Lions last season. File photo: John Sommers II/UPI
Montgomery signed a two-year, $18.2 million contract extension with the Lions in 2024. His contract runs until 2027.
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Scruggs, 26, is the Texans’ second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound offensive lineman appeared in 17 games for the Texans last season. He has 13 appearances in 2024 and 7 appearances in 2023. Scruggs made 20 starts over his first three seasons and is expected to be a free agent next offseason.
Running back David Montgomery (5) has thrown at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his first six seasons. File photo: John Sommers II/UPI
Earlier Monday, the Texans also agreed to trade offensive tackle Titus Howard to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Both moves will officially take effect on March 11, the first day of the NFL’s new league year.
Running back David Montgomery (left) appeared in 45 games for the Detroit Lions. File photo: Tannen Maury/UPI