Texans rookie RB Woody Marks trailed teammate Nick Chubb in carries for Sunday's win over the 49ers, but the rookie led in just about every other category. Marks took his 11 carries for 62 yards (5.6 per rush), compared with Chubb's 17 attempts for 56 yards (3.3 per rush). Marks also claimed four of the seven backfield targets, catching all four for 49 yards. Chubb caught both of his targets for 13 yards. Dare Ogunbowale followed them with one, 9-yard carry and a catch for 8 yards on his only target.
It's certainly worth noting that literally all of Marks' receiving yardage came via a single 50-yard catch-and-run in the first half. His other receptions claimed 2, 2, and minus-5 yards.
But Houston's backfield doesn't feature much big-play ability beyond that -- at least unless/until Joe Mixon makes it back from injury.
Chubb's workload likely benefited from his team playing with the lead for a change. The veteran beat Marks 8-5 in first-half carries and then 9-6 in the second half.
Marks' overall playing time actually tumbled from a season-high 63% in Week 7 to 40% against the 49ers. That's his second-lowest snap share of the past five games, owing blame not only to Chubb but also to Dare Ogunbowale.
The veteran third-down back opened the season as Houston's primary option in such situations, playing 27% and 20% snap shares the first two games. Ogunbowale then logged just four total offensive snaps across the next three contests before trending back up a little the past two weeks: 12% and 16% snap shares.
Marks sure looks like the best player in the Houston backfield right now. But his playing-time shifts say his coaches aren't totally comfy with him leading at this point.
The rookie will almost certainly continue leading Texans RBs in our weekly projections. But his role volatility chips away and both his ceiling and the stability of his floor.
Keep that in mind as you make your weekly lineup decisions.
A Week 9 meeting with the Broncos could enhance Marks' importance, with a quality secondary challenging Houston's downfield passing.
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