David Montgomery enters the 2026 season as the Houston Texans' clear lead running back following an offseason trade from the Detroit Lions and a two-year contract extension. In his Week 1 debut against Buffalo, he handled 20 carries for 60 yards and two rushing touchdowns plus three receptions for 19 yards and a score, signaling heavy early volume in a backfield where Woody Marks serves primarily in a change-of-pace role. The 29-year-old power back benefits from a stable offensive line, frequent goal-line opportunities, and a Texans offense expected to control games behind a strong defense and quarterback C.J. Stroud. His 2025 workload in Detroit was limited by sharing touches with Jahmyr Gibbs, but Houston's scheme positions him for 200-plus carries if he stays healthy through a 17-game schedule featuring favorable early matchups. Trader consensus reflects this elevated usage outlook tempered by typical veteran durability considerations.