The Houston Texans will be without running back Jo’quavious Marks, aka Woody Marks, for their Sunday matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite positive reports throughout the week, Marks is not healthy enough to take the field this week.
Woody Marks Not Playing Week 16
With the running back’s absence, the Texans will rely on Nick Chubb against the Raiders. Marks had been dealing with a lingering ankle issue prior to the game. He had been fighting to suit up and play, but the Texans ultimately went the caution route.
Insider for NFL Network Ian Rapoport confirmed the news on X: “Texans RB Woody Marks is expected to be inactive today, source said. So, expect plenty of Nick Chubb.”
#Texans RB Woody Marks is expected to be inactive today, source said. So, expect plenty of Nick Chubb.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 21, 2025
According to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, the Texans rank 22nd on offense with a 70.7 impact score. They are ranked 8 spots ahead of the Raiders, who are 30th on PFSN’s offense metrics. Houston will rely heavily on Chubb, along with Jawhar Jordan.
Houston to Rely on Nick Chubb and Jawhar Jordan
The Texans will look to Chubb and Jordan to carry the workload at running back. Chubb himself has a Pro Bowl selection from his time with the Cleveland Browns and has had a good recovery from a rib injury. In addition, Chubb had been getting himself ready to take on a heavier workload.
Jordan made waves with the Texans when he got elevated to the active roster after an outstanding debut in which he torched the Arizona Cardinals with 101 yards rushing. Wide receiver Christian Kirk (illness) is expected to play in the game against the Raiders, but he did not practice with the team on Friday. Both Marks and Chubb have a score in the 60th percentile per PFSN’s running back impact metrics.
In Maxx Crosby, the Texans know they will have their work cut out for them against the stout defensive end. The All-Pro edge rusher will certainly test a Houston offensive line that has looked so much better in 2025 than it did last year. In speaking for Crosby’s game, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said, per Click2Houston, “Maxx is a dog.”
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He also added, “He can wreck a whole game game and he’s done it year in and year out. I think he’s a heck of a player. He has a motor, doesn’t stop, doesn’t quit. So we got to make sure we take care of that and try our best to slow him down. So it’ll be a fist fight up there every play. I know he’s ready, and we’ll try to be ready as well.”
Outworking Crosby is easier said than done, so the offensive line will have to be on its A game to slow him this afternoon. With Chubb expected to carry the load along with Jordan to carry the load for Houston, the running back core will definitely see a lot of Crosby in the line of scrimmage.
