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Marks was injured on a third-down rushing attempt when he was met by a group of Cleveland defenders, including Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Sam Kamara, and Quincy Williams. The collision left the running back on the turf for several minutes before he was escorted from the field by the Texans' athletic training staff. Prior to his departure, Marks had been a significant contributor to the ground game, recording 50 yards on 12 carries.
Backfield depth concerns for Houston
The loss of Marks adds to an already challenging situation for the Texans' backfield, which has been hampered by injuries throughout the season. With Marks sidelined, the team turned to Emari Demercado and Dare Ogunbowale to handle the rushing duties for the remainder of the afternoon.
The team is also managing the recovery of David Montgomery, who has been unavailable since sustaining a groin injury in Week 4. Although Montgomery participated in practice sessions throughout the past week, team sources indicated his involvement was limited as part of a ramp-up process. His status remains uncertain for the upcoming short-week turnaround.
Short week complicates recovery timeline
The timing of the injury is particularly difficult for Houston, as the team is scheduled to face the Indianapolis Colts this coming Thursday. Because of the compressed schedule, Marks will be required to progress through the league's concussion protocol in a very limited window if he is to be cleared for participation.
The Texans will continue to monitor the health of their running back room closely as they prepare for the midweek divisional clash. Further updates regarding the availability of both Marks and Montgomery are expected as the team transitions into their abbreviated preparation period for the Colts.
