Marks is expected to play in Week 17 at the Chargers after missing Week 16 against Las Vegas with an ankle injury, but we don't know how the Texans will use their running backs in this game. Marks was injured in Week 15 against Arizona, and Jawhar Jordan emerged as a viable threat for the Texans in the past two weeks against the Cardinals and Raiders. And Nick Chubb will likely be a factor as well. Keep in mind that Marks also has struggled as a Fantasy running back despite getting plenty of work. He had one game with more than 7.9 PPR points in his past four outings prior to getting hurt, and he had at least 17 total touches in all of those contests. The Chargers are No. 5 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and Los Angeles should be able to keep Marks in check this week, even with linebacker Denzel Perryman (suspended) out. I would only use Marks as a flex in most leagues.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: In clear for Week 17
Rotowire
Marks (ankle) was listed as a full participant for Tuesday's practice.
Marks' availability for this past Sunday's eventual 23-21 win over the Raiders appeared to come down to a game-time decision, but the Texans ultimately erred on the side of caution and held the rookie running back out for the first time all season. Nick Chubb (ribs) returned from a one-game absence of his own and gained 33 yards on six carries and nine yards on one reception, but it was Jawhar Jordan (15-53-0 rushing line, five catches for 17 yards on five targets) who saw the bulk of the work out of the backfield. Both Chubb and Jordan could have roles in the Week 17 game plan, but now that Marks is back practicing without limitations, expect him to serve as the Texans' lead option in Saturday's contest versus the Chargers.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Participating in practice Tuesday
Rotowire
Marks (ankle) was spotted participating in Tuesday's practice, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Marks' participation level remains unclear, but the Texans will be required to release an official injury report Tuesday since they travel to play the Chargers on Saturday. Marks was injured in the Texans' Week 15 win over the Colts and was inactive for this past Sunday's win over the Raiders. In his absence, Jawhar Jordan out-snapped Nick Chubb 30 to 21, with Jordan rushing 15 times for 53 yards and adding five catches for 17 yards on five targets. Jordan would likely be in line to lead the backfield if Marks doesn't return in Week 17.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Planning to play Sunday
Rotowire
Marks, who is officially questionable for Sunday's Week 16 matchup against the Raiders due to an ankle injury, is planning to suit up, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Marks didn't finish last Sunday's win over Arizona after hurting his ankle early in the second quarter. He didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday this week but got in a limited session Friday to give himself a chance of playing Sunday. It sounds like Marks is going to try to take the field, though his final status probably won't be shared until the Texans release their list of inactives about 90 minutes prior to the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Should Marks need to sit out, Houston's backfield work could be split between veteran tailback Nick Chubb (ribs) and rookie Jawhar Jordan.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Questionable after limited practice
Rotowire
Marks (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders after returning to a limited practice Friday.
Marks didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but his return to a limited session Friday gives him a chance to face Las Vegas. Also listed as questionable for the contest is fellow RB Nick Chubb (ribs), but he seems to be trending toward returning to action after practicing fully both Thursday and Friday. Look for added context regarding both players' statuses to arrive late Saturday or early Sunday via national reporters such as ESPN's Adam Schefter or NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, but at this stage it appears as though the composition of Houston's Week 16 backfield, which also includes Jawhar Jordan and Dare Ogunbowale, will not be confirmed until inactives are posted ahead the team's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Not practicing Thursday
Rotowire
Marks (ankle) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Marks hasn't practiced in any fashion since exiting this past Sunday's 40-20 win over the Cardinals due to an ankle injury, so at least for the time being, his availability for this weekend's game against the Raiders is in question. If Marks ends up sitting out the Week 16 game or is available only for limited snaps, Nick Chubb (ribs)-- if available -- and Jawhar Jordan would be in line to see added snaps and touches out of the backfield.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Not practicing Wednesday
Rotowire
Marks (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Marks missed the second half of Sunday's 40-20 win over Arizona after tweaking a pre-existing ankle injury in the first half. Texans coach Demeco Ryans downplayed the injury afterward, even suggesting that Marks could've returned if the game had been closer. Still, fantasy managers need to keep a close eye on the situation now that Marks is absent from practice to start the week ahead of a matchup with the Raiders on Sunday. Nick Chubb, on the other hand, returned to practice Wednesday after missing Week 15 with a rib injury.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Contrarian DFS Play
Rotowire
Marks left Week 15 early and had the whole fumble recovery TD drama as well. His coach says he could have come back into the game. For that reason, we are ranking him this week, in a home game, as a 14.5-point favorite, with an implied total of 26. This is the kind of guy who should be chalk, but he just was, and it didn't pay off. I expect Fantasy managers will look somewhere else in DFS this week, which makes Marks a great contrarian play.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Could have re-entered Sunday's win
Rotowire
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that Marks "could have come back in the game" after the running back exited early with an ankle injury during Sunday's 40-20 win over the Cardinals, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houson reports.
Ryans said Marks "got his ankle tweaked a little bit there early in the game," but the Texans opted to keep the rookie running back on the sideline to "make sure [he] is good as we continue to go into the week." Those comments seemingly bode well for Marks' chances of gaining clearance for Week 16, when Houston will face a plus matchup at home against the Raiders. That said, the next tangible update on Marks' health may not arrive until the team resumes practicing Wednesday. Nick Chubb (ribs) was inactive versus Arizona, so if Marks isn't able to return versus Las Vegas, Jawhar Jordan could get a chance to follow up on his 101-yard performance against Arizona.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Heightened role awaits
Rotowire
Marks is expected to serve as the Texans' lead back in Sunday's game against the Cardinals due to Nick Chubb (ribs) being inactive for the contest, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Warren notes that Houston could have Dare Ogunbowale and Jawhar Jordan mix in for reps out of the backfield, but the lion's share of touches and snaps will likely fall to Marks. After Chubb departed early in this past Sunday's 20-10 win over the Chiefs, Marks finished with an 87 percent offensive snap share and produced 76 total yards and a touchdown on a season-high 28 touches.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Cleared to face Arizona
Rotowire
Marks (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cardinals after practicing fully Friday.
Marks sat out the Texans' first practice of the week Wednesday, but he upgraded to limited participation Thursday before taking every rep Friday. He'll be ready to play this weekend and could even end up taking on a larger share of the work out of the backfield if Nick Chubb (ribs) -- who is listed as questionable -- is out Sunday or available only in a limited capacity. After Chubb played just eight snaps before exiting the Texans' Week 14 win over the Chiefs, Marks went on to record a season-high 26 carries for 68 yards while adding two receptions (on three targets) for eight yards and a touchdown.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Limited in practice Thursday
Rotowire
Marks (knee) returned to a limited practice Thursday.
Marks and fellow RB Nick Chubb (ribs) both logged 'DNPs' on Wednesday. Chubb also missed Thursday's session, which clouds his availability for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, while Marks' limited practice has him trending in the right direction for the contest. In any case, Friday's final injury report will reveal whether Chubb has a chance to play this weekend, as well Marks' official Week 15 game status.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Back at practice
Rotowire
Marks (knee) participated in practice Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Marks logged a 'DNP' on Wednesday, but the running back's presence at practice a day later has him trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Meanwhile, fellow RB Nick Chubb (ribs) remained sidelined Thursday, with the Texans' upcoming injury report set to reveal Marks' official participation level.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Top DFS Play
Rotowire
Marks is priced as a low-end RB2, and I think he may be a borderline RB1 in this matchup. In their last five games, the Arizona Cardinals have given up 32 PPR FPPG to opposing backfields. While most backfields are committees right now, Marks is a true workhorse with a truly elite matchup.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Huge workload in win
Rotowire
Marks rushed the ball 26 times for 68 yards in Sunday's 20-10 win over the Chiefs. He added two receptions on three targets for eight yards and a touchdown.
Marks was already well on his way to taking over the Houston backfield, but he had the chance to handle the entire workload after Nick Chubb suffered an injury to his ribs early in the second quarter. While it was an inefficient showing against a tough defense, Marks topped 20 carries for the first time in his rookie campaign, helping him reach at least 60 rushing yards for the fifth time in his last seven games. He also made the most of his work as a pass catcher, recording a nine-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter. Marks missed out on the chance for an additional score after he was forced off the field due to an injury midway through the fourth quarter, giving Dare Ogunbwale a goal-line carry. While Marks hasn't been overly efficient, he has earned at least 16 carries in each of his last four games, and his role would only become more secure if Chubb is forced to miss additional time.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Limited practice Thursday
Rotowire
Marks (ankle) was limited at practice Thursday.
After logging a 'DNP' in Wednesday's session, Marks was able to return to a limited practice a day later, which has him trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Chiefs approaches. Friday's injury report will clarify whether the running back carries an injury designation into the weekend, but it's worth noting that coach DeMeco Ryans indicated Wednesday that Marks was among Houston's initial DNPs who should be fine for Week 14 action, per Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Back at practice Thursday
Rotowire
Marks (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Marks was a non-participant in Wednesday's session, so his return to the field a day later aligns with coach DeMeco Ryans' previous comment to Alexander that the running back was among the Texans' initial DNPs who should be fine for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. The team's upcoming injury report will reveal if Marks was limited Thursday or practiced fully.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: RBs to Sit
Rotowire
You can use Marks as a flex option in Week 14 at Kansas City, but I can't continue to trust him as a No. 2 Fantasy running back in the majority of leagues. Even though he's taken over the Houston backfield ahead of Nick Chubb, Marks has scored 7.9 PPR points or less in three games in a row despite getting at least 17 total touches in each outing. His work in the passing game has disappeared with three catches for 5 yards on three targets in the past three weeks, and it doesn't help that the Chiefs are No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Managing ankle injury
Rotowire
Marks didn't practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury.
Marks was forced out of this past Sunday's win over the Colts due to a foot injury, but he subsequently returned to the contest. The running back is now listed as having an ankle issue, but according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, coach DeMeco Ryans noted Wednesday that Marks was among the Texans' DNPs who should be fine for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Woody Marks: Not practicing Wednesday
Rotowire
Marks (foot) wasn't spotted at practice Wednesday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle and Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston report.
Marks exited Sunday's win over the Colts due to a foot injury, but was able to return to the contest en route to logging 41 snaps, 19 carries and a catch. With no setbacks having been reported since then, there's a solid chance that Marks' absence is maintenance-related, a notion echoed by coach DeMeco Ryans, who, according to Wilson, indicated that Marks was among the Texans' Wednesday DNPs who will be fine for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
