David Montgomery Traded to Texans in Surprise Deal

Texans acquire veteran RB David

Detroit Lions trade running back David Montgomery to Houston Texans for Day 3 picks and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.

Montgomery, part of Detroit's 'Sonic and Knuckles' duo, joins Houston Texans in...

The Detroit Lions have traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans in exchange for a fourth-round pick, a 2027 seventh-round pick, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs. This move ends Montgomery's three-year stint with the Lions, where he rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Montgomery, 28, had a reduced role in the 2025 season, with 716 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, as Jahmyr Gibbs took on a larger workload. The Texans, who struggled with rushing yards in 2025, are expected to feature Montgomery as their lead back, potentially replacing Joe Mixon, who missed the season due to injury.

The Texans just made their second trade in two days, sending starting right tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick. This comes after they traded for veteran running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions.

Montgomery, 28, had a solid stint with the Lions, accumulating 2,506 yards and 33 rushing touchdowns, plus 650 receiving yards, alongside Jahmyr Gibbs. He'll now join the Texans, bolstering their backfield.

David Montgomery, in three years with the Lions, had 2,506 rushing yards and 33 TDs.

Detroit will have Jamhyr Gibbs eligible for a contract extension this offseason. https://t.co/fzCWeZMQ0a pic.twitter.com/Y1c4FB2Cta

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2026

In 2025, Jahmyr Gibbs took the reins as starter, getting most of the touches, and Montgomery's numbers dipped to 716 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns with zero starts.

The 'Sonic and Knuckles' duo of Montgomery and Gibbs lit up Detroit, combining for 6,086 rushing yards, 2,099 receiving yards, and 82 touchdowns. 

Montgomery joins a Texans backfield with Woody Marks and Joe Mixon. Mixon sat out 2025 with a foot injury, while rookie Marks impressed with 703 rushing yards.

Juice Scruggs, the center traded with Montgomery, was a 2023 second-round pick (62nd overall) and started 20 games for the Texans. Last season, he started just one game.