Will rookie running back Woody Marks be on the field when the Houston Texans return to NRG Stadium to take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday?
Marks, who missed Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals with an ankle injury, was one of the names to finally appear on the injury report. He is listed as practice-restricted along with All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. The difference between him, linebacker Aziz Alshair, cornerback Kamari Lassiter and offensive tackle Trent Brown is that those three regularly missed Wednesday reps and returned Thursday afternoon.
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According to multiple reports, Marquez will test his body and try to play during warmups before the team makes a final decision on his status.
Houston may be wise to rest Marquez since Nick Chubb returned to practice Wednesday after missing Sunday’s game with a rib injury. Marks’ rushing total expanded at Arrowhead Stadium in large part because Chubb was unavailable in the second half after taking a hit in the second quarter.
Perhaps after the success of former practice squad star Jahar Jordan, Houston elected to rest Marks and Chubb. Jordan replaced the injured Marquez and became the first running back to rush for more than 100 yards, averaging a season-high 6.8 yards per carry.
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He also had two runs of 20 or more yards, including one that went for 49 yards.
“No matter who’s at running back, first and foremost is our offensive line, our tight ends and how we block the line of scrimmage. Our backs, we know anybody who touches the football can be dynamic and they can make plays for us,” Texas coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday. “But it’s going to depend on how we handle the frontcourt. The Raiders have a really good defensive front. They do a good job of running offense and causing disruption in the run game. Running the ball is going to be a challenge compared to the Raiders’ defense.”
This season, through 14 games, Marks leads the Texans in rushing attempts (167), yards (584) and yards per game (41.7). The rookie also led all running backs in catches, receiving yards (204) and receiving touchdowns (3).
The Texans will kick off at 3:30 pm live on CBS. With a win, Houston would have its third double-digit win season under Ryans and Stroud. The Texans are also all but locked into a playoff berth, according to the New York Times’ prediction odds, which show the two-time AFC South champion team has a 98 percent chance of winning.
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This article originally appeared on Texans Wired: Will Texans RB Woody Marks play against Raiders? Insiders provide updates
