The Houston Texans’ season is over, but the NFL is not quite done with them just yet. Specifically, the NFL had one last issue with Texans running back Woody Marks.
Marks, 25, was the No. 116 overall pick of the 2025 draft. He emerged as the most threatening part of the Texans’ running game as a rookie. However, questions about his long-term viability as the lead back in a rotation, let alone a lead back, remain.
More immediately, the NFL’s decision is a costly one for Marks.
Texans’ Woody Marks Fined by NFL
GettyWoody Marks #26 of the Houston Texans celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals.
Per the NFL’s Gameday Accountability portal on January 24, Marks received a $6,061 fine for “unneccessary roughness” over impermissible “use of the helmet.”
The play occurred during the second quarter. It was after Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw an interception to New England Patriots rookie safety Craig Woodson, another fourth-round selection in the 2025 draft cycle, during the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Marks tackled Woodson.
However, Marks led with his helmet while going in for the stop.
Notably, Marks was not flagged during the game for the hit on Woodson in the Texans’ loss. The NFL is clear on situations such as this, though.
“It is a foul if a player: (a) lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent; or (b) uses any part of his helmet or facemask to butt or make forcible contact to an opponent’s head or neck,” per Rule 12, Section 2, Article 10 of the NFL rulebook.
The league does allow for “incidental” conduct, but that is always subject to its discretion.
Wood Marks Reality Check Looms Large
GettyWoody Marks #27 of the Houston Texans carries the ball against the Baltimore Ravens.
Marks finished the contest against the Patriots with 17 yards on 14 carries, adding 19 yards on two receptions in three targets. Marks’ struggles encapsulated a season that he finished with a 196-703-2 line for the Texans. The Texans ranked 22nd in that area of offense.
Boosting the running game is their “top priority,” per ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime on January 22.
“Houston’s run game has the bones to be a strong down-the-middle attack,” Bien-Aime wrote. “They need to improve the interior of the offensive line and probably add one more back.”
Marks lamented his shortcomings postgame on a day where the Texans’ offense struggled to do anything positive and turned the ball over 5 times, including 4 INTs by Stroud in the 28-16 loss to the Patriots.
Marks’ fumble during the third quarter was the other.
“Kind of let the team down on my fumble,” Marks said of his gaffe, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on January 19. “Trying to make a big play, something out of it, made it worse.”
Texans Facing Another Roster Retool
GettyWoody Marks #27 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz predicted the Texans would pursue New York Jets tailback Breece Hall in free agency this offseason. Colleague Jordan Reid suggested Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane in the first round of the 2026 draft.
Bien-Aime said the Texans’ second biggest priority was ensuring Stroud had talent at receiver.
Even then, much of the concern stems from questions about Joe Mixon’s future with the team.
Mixon is a dual-threat, and Marks certainly adds an element of that to the Texans’ offensive attack, albeit minus the physicality.
Moreover, Marks’ production and durability are already concerns for the Texans.
Mixon could be cut this offseason, Nick Chubb is a free agent, and 2024 sixth-round pick Jawhar Jordan is the only other full-time ball-carrier on the Texans’ roster under contract heading into the 2026 offseason.
Texans Player Gets Bad News as NFL Hands Down Punishment