Updated March 2, 2026, 12:02 p.m. ET
Knuckles has left the building.
The Detroit Lions dealt running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans on Monday. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Lions traded Montgomery for a package that includes a fourth-rounder, a seventh-rounder and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.
Scruggs was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft and has appeared in 37 games, starting 20. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound interior lineman is on the final year of his rookie deal.
Though Montgomery pushed back against the idea he wanted out yesterday, ultimately the initial ESPN report from Jeremy Fowler that Montgomery could be moved proved correct.
Montgomery’s long-term status came into question last season as his usage dipped. The 5-foot-11, 230-pound back registered career-lows in both carries (158) and rushing yards (716). Montgomery had eight rushing touchdowns for the Lions last season.
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During a six-game stretch from Nov. 16, 2025, at the Eagles through the Lions’ Dec. 21 date against the Steelers, Montgomery failed to notch double-figure carries in any of those games. Montgomery had less than 10 carries in nine games last season, including seven of the final eight.
In his career, Montgomery has rushed for 6,115 yards and 59 touchdowns. The Iowa State alum has a pair of 1,000-yard rushing seasons and has recorded 1,890 receiving yards and four scores in his 105 NFL games played.
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