Texans Announce David Montgomery Update After RB Move

Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Texans Announce David Montgomery Update After RB Move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Tate Mosher | Last updated Nov 2, 2026 12:45 PM ET

After a mostly dominant 2025 NFL season, the Houston Texans have come crashing down in 2026. The team finds themselves at 2-5 following Week 8 of the season. That has them in second place in the AFC South and three games behind the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In a reversal from last season, it is the team’s defense that is holding them back. They are allowing 24.3 points per game (18th in NFL). That is a large change from 2025, when they allowed only 17.4 a game (2nd in NFL).

With offensive questions to answer in the offseason, the Texans went out and got the RB1 they were needing. That guy was David Montgomery, a seven-year veteran from the Detroit Lions. He was signed to a two-year, $16.5 million contract.

Houston Texans running back David Montgomery (32) Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Outside of a three-touchdown performance in Week 1, Montgomery has been largely ineffective. Across five games this season, he has taken the ball 52 times for only 138 yards, resulting in a poor 2.7 yards per carry.

During Week 5, the free agent acquisition pulled his groin in a game at the Tennessee Titans. He has been sidelined since. On Monday, the Texans signed RB Joshua Pitsenberger to the practice squad, per Jonathan M Alexander of the Houston Chronicle.

Moments after this transaction was reported, Houston head coach Demeco Ryans said he did not have any significant update on Montgomery’s health. His status for Week 9 appears to be in jeopardy.

DeMeco Ryans said no significant update on RB David Montgomery, DB Jalen Pitre and DB Reed Blankenship. They’ll see how they progress throughout the week.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) November 2, 2026

Pitsenberger is a 2026 undrafted free agent whom the Texans signed briefly after the draft. He has yet to appear in an NFL game but now becomes the fifth running back on the team, active roster and practice squad included.

Houston has three RBs on the active roster, that being Woody Marks, Emari Demercado and Dare Ogunbowale. The offense this season has largely relied on the arm of quarterback C.J. Stroud.

It remains to be seen how long Montgomery will be out for, but the signing of Pitsenberger might not be very encouraging for the former’s Week 9 status.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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