Woody Marks may have officially seized control of the Houston Texans’ backfield, and head coach DeMeco Ryans wants to see him continue to capitalize on what they expect to be increased opportunities.
Marks was the No. 116 overall pick in the 2025 draft.
Brought in to be a change-of-pace option behind Joe Mixon, who is on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, and Nick Chubb, Marks has emerged as so much more.
The Houston Chronicle’s Sam Warren noted that the Texans leaned on Marks more against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10 than they had all season.
“The Houston Texans appeared to have a new lead back Sunday,” Warren wrote on November 13. “The moment was overdue for the rookie who has been a key part of Houston’s running back rotation this year.
Warren’s take comes on the heels of Ryans’ comments about Marks and his fellow rookies.
“No more rookies. Woody, let’s go. Woody’s doing a great job. We got to continue to feed him more. [Jayden] Higgins on the outside. Everybody sees, this guy’s catch radius is insane. Put the ball in his vicinity. He’s going to go and get it. You need a big play. Who shows up on fourth down? It’s Jaylin Noel showing up, when we needed it most, to make that play,” Ryans said on “All Access” on November 11.
“These guys are not rookies. They’re making plays in the critical times of a game. Crunch time. We need it most. We’re counting on the rookies. Tae is doing a great job there at left tackle, continuing to battle down in, down out. He’s getting better as the season is going on. So, yeah. The rookie nameplate is off. It’s like, let’s go, and how can we finish this season the right way?”
While Higgins and Noel have come up big in clutch moments, Marks and “Tae” [Aireontae Ersery] have been consistent contributors at two of the game’s most demanding positions.
Offensive coordinator Nick Caley likes the combination of Chubb and Marks, noting that who leads the backfield could change week to week. Ryans also touted the Texans’ unexpected top backfield duo.
“He did a really nice job handling the bulk of the carries for us,” Ryans said on November 10. “When Chubb came in and got his opportunities, he had some explosive runs.
“It was a good 1-2 punch that we were able to use.”
With Mixon sidelined, Chubb was set to be the Texans’ lead back, and he started the first eight games. However, Chubb is on a one-year contract, while the Texans also have decisions to make on Mixon, leaving Marks positioned to solidify his role as RB1 for next season.
Marks is now up to 304 yards and 2 touchdowns on 81 rushing attempts, adding 15 receptions for 183 yards and 2 TDs. He knows there is a long way to go, and Marks is determined to realize his potential.
However, he is already making a strong impression.
“Staying laser focused and don’t get too hot, get too low,” Marks said, per Warren. “Just stay in the middle. I’ve always got room for improvement.”
“We knew exactly what Woody could do,” Ersery said, per Warren. “He was shifty, he could make people miss. He’s not a small guy, he can run you over too. He’s like the perfect running back. And like I said, man, I’m just so happy for him and I’m glad he’s doing great things.”
Indianapolis, IN — A Quarterback Controversy that Could Define a Dynasty
The Indianapolis Colts are humming along with a commanding 8-2 record, sitting atop the AFC South with a two-game lead, and currently holding the No. 1 seed in the AFC. While the season is far from over and seeding could change dramatically in the coming weeks, one thing is clear: the Colts have found something special this season. And much of that success can be attributed to a decision that seemed risky at the time—choosing Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback over the much-hyped Anthony Richardson.
Entering the 2025 season, the Colts were facing what many believed could be a major landmine in terms of quarterback play. Richardson, the team’s 2023 first-round draft pick, had experience in Shane Steichen’s system after playing under him for two years. With all eyes on Richardson as the next great hope for the Colts, it seemed like the most logical move to hand him the reins as QB1. But Indianapolis made a bolder decision.
The Bold Decision to Start Daniel Jones
Instead of going with Richardson, the Colts took a chance on Daniel Jones, whose career had been marked by struggles in New York with the Giants and a brief stint with the Minnesota Vikings that didn’t leave a lasting impression. Jones had flamed out in New York, failing to live up to the potential that had once made him a first-round pick in 2019. But Indianapolis saw something in Jones that could work in their favor.
Through 10 games in 2025, it’s clear that the Colts made the right choice. Jones has been nothing short of terrific, showcasing poise, leadership, and a level of consistency that has allowed the Colts to thrive. He has breathed new life into a team that had been in search of stability at the quarterback position for years. His solid play has led Indianapolis to a top spot in the AFC, and while the season has a long way to go, the future is looking bright for the Colts with Jones at the helm.
The Anthony Richardson Dilemma: Could He Be on the Move?
Of course, the question remains: what about Richardson? His future in Indianapolis is now uncertain, and the Colts face a significant decision next offseason with the fifth-year option on his contract for 2027 looming. The speculation around Richardson’s future has already begun, and some analysts, like Billy Heyen of the Sporting News, suggest that Richardson could be traded sooner rather than later.
One potential scenario is a trade to the Carolina Panthers, where Richardson would join another former high-profile 2023 draft pick, Bryce Young. The Panthers’ decision to stick with Young as their starter despite his lackluster performance has drawn criticism, much like Richardson’s struggles in Indianapolis. Young has started 37 games over three seasons for Carolina, but his record of 11-26, combined with a quarterback rating of just 77.8 and a troubling 37-26 touchdown-to-interception ratio, has led some to question his future as the Panthers’ QB1. Could Richardson be the answer in Carolina? Some think a change of scenery might be just what both quarterbacks need, but at this point, Richardson’s future in Indianapolis appears increasingly uncertain.
The Long-Term Vision for the Colts
For Colts fans, however, the uncertainty surrounding Richardson’s future isn’t a major concern. Indianapolis has found its long-term quarterback in Daniel Jones, and that should equate to sustained success for years to come. While the Colts’ decision to start Jones over Richardson raised some eyebrows at first, it’s clear that the team’s leadership saw something in Jones that many others had overlooked. His ability to manage the offense, avoid mistakes, and make crucial throws when needed has allowed the Colts to remain atop the AFC South and firmly in the playoff hunt.
Whether Richardson stays in Indianapolis or moves on to another team, the Colts have made a decisive step forward in securing their quarterback situation. With Jones leading the way, Indianapolis looks poised to build a new era of success, one that could lead to long-term dominance in the AFC. And while the quarterback controversy around Richardson might continue to swirl, the Colts are content knowing they have found their man under center.