The Houston Texans face a critical game-day decision as star player Woody Marks battles to be fit for their clash against the Las Vegas Raiders. Marks suffered a brutal ankle injury last weekend against the Arizona Cardinals, forcing him to exit the match early and casting a shadow over his availability for the final stretch of the season.
Game-Time Decision for Woody Marks
All eyes are on the 4:25 PM E.T. kickoff, as Woody Marks' final status must be cleared just 90 minutes before the game when the Texans publish their inactive list. The running back's participation has been a major point of speculation throughout the week. He missed practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, only returning as a limited participant on Friday, signaling a race against time for recovery.
Conflicting reports from NFL insiders have sparked chaos among fans. Popular insider Aaron Wilson recently reported that both Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique) and Woody Marks (ankle) plan to play, with their final status being determined on Sunday. This ignited hope for the Texans' offense. However, a few hours later, a contrasting update from ESPN's Adam Schefter poured cold water on that optimism. Schefter stated, "Source: Texans RB Woody Marks is not expected to play today vs. the Raiders due to his ankle injury."
Recap of the Week 15 Ankle Injury
The injury occurred during the Texans' Week 15 matchup, where Marks was seen in visible pain after tweaking his ankle. He had to leave the game midway, a sight that worried teammates and supporters. In the days following the incident, Head Coach DeMeco Ryans provided some context, suggesting the injury might not be as severe as it appeared.
"Woody could have come back in the game," Ryans revealed. He explained the decision, saying, "He got his ankle tweaked a little bit there early in the game. For where he was, felt like Jawhar and Dare were doing a good job, so wanted to keep rolling with those guys and make sure Woody is good as we continue to go into the week." This indicates the team may have been exercising caution with their key player.
Impact on the Texans' Playoff Push
The potential absence of Woody Marks comes at a crucial juncture for the Houston Texans as they gear up for the last three matches of the season. His dynamic playmaking ability is a cornerstone of their offensive strategy. If he is unable to suit up against the Raiders, the burden will fall on backups Jawhar Jordan and Dare Ogunbowale to step up and fill the significant void in the backfield.
As of now, neither the Houston Texans organization nor Woody Marks himself has made an official statement confirming his return to the field today. The situation remains fluid, leaving fans in suspense until the official inactive list is released. The team's performance against the Las Vegas Raiders could hinge heavily on this last-minute fitness call.
