The Houston Texans acquired david montgomery from the Detroit Lions in a trade that sent offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two draft picks to Detroit, according to reports by The Sporting News.
The report said the Lions received a fourth-round pick and a seventh-round pick alongside Scruggs in the deal, while the Texans added Montgomery to their backfield.
The report noted Montgomery became available after expressing displeasure with his time share in Detroit with Jahmyr Gibbs, and that he has produced at least 715 rushing yards in each of his six NFL seasons, with a career high of 1,070 yards in Chicago in 2020.
The same report added that Montgomery’s carries have declined over the past three seasons as Gibbs emerged as one of the best running backs in the NFL, and that the acquisition may alter Houston’s approach to draft and free agency targets.
How Juice Scruggs Fits Into Detroit
Detroit will add Scruggs as a versatile interior option rather than a guaranteed starter, The Sporting News reported, noting his ability to play both guard spots and center.
As reported, Scruggs was a second-round pick of the Texans in 2023, appeared in 37 games over three seasons, and started 20 of those contests, but he struggled to secure a long-term starting role.
The Sporting News item provided snap totals that show Scruggs played 194 snaps at right guard, 950 snaps at left guard, and 568 snaps at center during his three-year NFL stint, underscoring his positional flexibility.
The report said Scruggs was relegated to a backup role in 2025 after starting in 2023 and 2024, and that Detroit faces question marks at guard and center involving Tate Ratledge, Christian Mahogany and Graham Glasgow, who played center in 2025.
Detroit may still pursue a free agent for one of those spots, the report added, and Scruggs could serve as the primary backup for Ratledge, Mahogany and any veteran the Lions acquire to start at guard or center.
