Woody Marks busted through tackles, racing to daylight.
The Texans’ versatile rookie running back dashed away from pursuit in the open field.
And he showed again why he was one of the most prolific pass-catching backs in college football the past few seasons during his stints at USC and Mississippi State.
Most of all, though, Marks served notice just how valuable he is to a stagnant Texans offense that he breathed life into in the fourth quarter of a 26-0 victory Sunday at NRG Stadium.
It was Marks who scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, one on a run and another on a catch for the first scores of his NFL career, as the fourth-round draft pick piled up 119 yards of total offense against the Tennessee Titans and the Texans earned their first win of the season.
“I’m making the defense kind of don’t know what you’re gonna do,” Marks said of his trademark versatility. “He can run it in between the tackles, outside, catch the ball out the backfield. I think that’s a big plus for the offense.”
After the game, Marks had the football he scored with in his locker for safekeeping to immortalize the moment. He also received a game ball from coach DeMeco Ryans for his efforts.
Not only did Marks rush for a team-high 69 yards on 17 carries in relief of veteran starter Nick Chubb, he also caught four passes for 50 yards.
He certainly looked like the Texans’ new RB1 regardless of his status as a backup behind Chubb.
“You see Woody, young player, rookie, steps in and ran the ball really well for us,” Ryans said. “Caught it well, made plays, productive. Got in the end zone a couple of times. So, really proud of the way he played.”
Woody Marks has another!
TENvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/CWMrFkDI4M
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2025
Although Marks’ workload had been limited in the first three games of the season — all losses — he got much more involved against the Titans.
This is a prime example of what Marks is capable of doing.
“It’s just being steady every week,” Marks said. “A lot of guys have told me, you might have a low game, low carries. Then you’ll have a high game. But just stay to you. Just be you. Go out at practice, every day in practice just come and show your best no matter what.”
The game was close for a while, but Marks helped the Texans put the game out of reach against the 0-4 Titans
Marks broke wide open on his touchdown catch out of the backfield.
He scored on a 20-yard reception. He rushed for an 18-yard touchdown.
Marks is a shifty Mississippi State transfer who rushed for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns last season and caught 47 passes for 321 yards for the Trojans.
He finished his collegiate career with 3,016 rushing yards and 31 touchdown runs with 261 catches for 1,564 yards and five scores.
“I was a really big fan of Woody in college when he was at USC,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “I thought he was really elusive, really crafty. I thought he’d done a really good job in those days in that Lincoln Riley offense. I thought today, we kind of used him in that light.
“Spread him out, gave him some familiarity in running the ball and some plays that he’s ran before. And he’s a very dynamic pass catcher. He did great.”
For Marks, it was about keeping the game in perspective.
The most important thing was the Texans improving to 1-3 overall.
Signed to a four-year, $6 million contract, Marks figures to have a bright future in Houston.
“I was excited just to get rolling on offense,” Marks said. “Coming out, getting a dub. That’s what I was really most excited about, just going 1-0.
“All we needed is one. We got one, now we’re gonna show up next week and try to go 1-0. That’s the goal. Just keep the train rolling.
#Texans rookie running back Woody Marks @JoquaviousMarks @uscfb @_SportsTrust pic.twitter.com/gp265lt9iR
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 9, 2025
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com