Houston's backfield in 2025 is a high-variance gamble. Mixon is carrying injury red flags and could open the door for Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks, with Dameon Pierce lurking as an occasional early-down option. Additions like Christian Kirk and the Texans’ rookie receivers signal a pass-heavy tilt, potentially compressing rushing volume further. The overall vibe: avoid overpaying for the Texans’ RBs in standard formats unless Mixon’s health dramatically improves or Chubb seizes a clear lead role early.

Meanwhile, the backfield’s upside hinges on who stays healthy and how the new offensive staff distributes carries. If Mixon misses extended time, Chubb likely sees the lion’s share while Marks handles change-of-pace duties; Pierce could steal some work in gaps, and Kirk’s presence could keep defenses honest without unleashing a true feature-back rush game. In dynasty, Marks’ long-term ceiling is still a question mark, while Kirk’s arrival could bolster Texans’ offensive efficiency and passing-game volume, indirectly supporting all playmakers.

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon remains in question for 2025, landing on the PUP list with a lingering foot/ankle issue. The offseason reality: health can stall, surgery isn’t ruled out, and Week 1 seems unlikely. Fantasy managers should brace for early-season absence and plan contingency RBs. The backdrop includes a run‑heavy Houston scheme and turnover at the coordinator spot, which could influence how big a role the starter gets when active.

Texans rook Woody Marks could absorb extra workload if Mixon is slow to return, while MarShawn Lloyd’s ankle history (with Green Bay) underscores the risk for Mixon’s timetable. As chatter swirls, draft plans should factor a cautious timeline, possible split work, and a strong fallback in Week 1 projections as the season unfolds.

Week 2 of NFL preseason spotlighted former Trojans staking their claims in the league. Caleb Williams flashed in his first action, delivering a 36-yard TD to Olamide Zaccheaus after a six-completion, 31-yard day, signaling development and upside in Chicago’s depth chart. Brandon Pili plugged a big Seahawks play, pulling down Elijah Mitchell for a safety and illustrating his roster bubble case on a team hungry for pass protection and upside depth.

Woody Marks emerged after a rocky opener, grinding out 40 yards on seven carries and occasionally sharing a backfield with Kedon Slovis, who has bounced through Pitt and BYU after USC. Isaiah Pola-Mao stiffened the Raiders’ secondary with four tackles, while Tahj Washington offered a tantalizing blend of pace and versatility for Miami. Olamide Zaccheaus connected with Williams for a key long play, hinting at chemistry to monitor as rosters tighten.

Kedon Slovis’ Texans and these backs and defensive backs are all on watch lists as teams trim rosters, evaluate depth, and project roles for Week 1. The overarching throughline is clear: veterans mixing with roster bubbles are setting the stage for fantasy decision-making, especially at quarterback and skilled positions. Expect continued shifts as final preseason games refine rotations and potential Week 1 bets come into sharper focus.

Three late-round RBs headline the 2025 fantasy outlook: Roschon Johnson, DJ Giddens and Woody Marks, each with clear path to meaningful touches in 2025. Johnson lands in Chicago with an upgraded line and an offense that should lean into the run game, giving him early-down and red-zone opportunities as Ben Johnson’s system takes root. Giddens lands in Indianapolis behind Jonathan Taylor, offering a strong pass-catching profile and immediate RB2 potential with major upside if Taylor misses time. Marks, a versatile back for Houston, could emerge as a most valuable third-down/dual-threat option in a backfield set to rebound. The piece underscores the value of late-round darts in a draft: target these roles, monitor each team’s offensive trajectory, and lean on the draft tool for decisions.

The analysis emphasizes workload levers: Johnson’s power-back profile in a better Bears attack, Giddens’ blend of size and receiving ability behind a franchise with cap flexibility, and Marks’ USC/Mississippi State track record translating to today’s multipath NFL usage. It also highlights the draft tool’s guidance as a practical, fearless way to compare rosters and edge out opponents in 2025 drafts.

The Houston Texans are facing a significant challenge at the running back position with Joe Mixon expected to miss time due to injury. This situation presents an opportunity for Woody Marks, a former standout from USC, to step into a bigger role. Marks, who has shown promise in previous performances, will need to leverage his skills to fill the void left by Mixon and provide the Texans with a reliable rushing option.

As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Marks to see if he can capitalize on this chance and prove he can be the feature back. The Texans will be depending on him to sustain their offensive momentum and possibly become a key fantasy asset while Mixon is sidelined.