Sources: Texans acquire RB David Montgomery in trade with Lions

The Detroit Lions are buying and selling working again David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two draft picks, sources informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.

The Lions may even obtain fourth- and seventh-round draft picks, the sources mentioned.

Montgomery joins a backfield that features Woody Markswho rushed for 703 yards in 2025, his rookie season. Marks shared carries with veteran working again Nick Chubbwho’s a pending free agent, earlier than turning into the lead again later in the season.

Running again Joe Mixonwho the Texans traded for 2 years in the past, missed the complete 2025 season due to a foot harm and his standing for the approaching season remains to be unsure.

Montgomery rushed for 716 yards and eight touchdowns final season, his third with the Lions. His position in Detroit has steadily diminished, nonetheless, due to the emergence of Jahmyr Gibbs.

Scruggs is the second offensive lineman traded by the Texans on Monday. Houston additionally agreed to ship Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns on Monday in trade for a fifth-round draft choose.

Montgomery was sad with his decreased position in 2025 however did interact in “healthy dialogue” with Lions basic supervisor Brad Holmes this offseason whereas deciding whether or not to push for a trade or stay in Detroit.

Montgomery had his fewest rushes (158) and touches (182) in a season in his profession regardless of enjoying all 17 video games final season.

After averaging 14.4 rushes per sport and 16.3 touches per sport in his first two seasons with the Lions, Montgomery averaged 9.3 rushes per sport and 10.7 touches per sport final season.

Montgomery performed 41% of the offensive snaps however that dropped to 33% in Weeks 11-18, per ESPN Research. He did not have greater than 10 carries in a sport in any of the Lions’ ultimate 8 video games.

He will flip 29 in June and is about to make $5.49 million this season — the primary of a two-year, $18.25 million extension that he signed with Detroit in October 2024.

ESPN’s Eric Woodyard contributed to this report.