1 of 5 | Running back David Montgomery (5), who is heading to the Houston Texans, totaled 3,156 yards from scrimmage and 33 scores over the last three seasons for the Detroit Lions. File Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo
The Detroit Lions agreed to trade veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, a league source told UPI on Monday.
The Texans agreed to send offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft to the Lions in exchange for Montgomery.
The seven-year veteran, who was a third-round pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2019 NFL Draft, spent the last three seasons in Detroit.
Montgomery, 28, totaled 908 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns over 17 appearances last season. He totaled 2,248 yards from scrimmage and 25 touchdowns over his first two seasons with the Lions, when he teamed up with launch one of the best backfield tandems in the NFL.
Last season, Montgomery and Gibbs set an NFL record when they became the first teammates to each score touchdowns in the same game 15 times. Dallas Cowboys legends Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston held the previous record, at 14.
Montgomery signed a two-year, $18.2 million contract extension in 2024 with the Lions. He is under contract through 2027.
Scruggs, 26, was a second-round pick by the Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound offensive lineman appeared in 17 games last season for the Texans. He made 13 appearances in 2024 and seven appearances in 2023. Scruggs, who made 20 starts over his first three seasons, is set to hit free agency next off-season.
Earlier Monday, the Texans also agreed to trade offensive tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Both of the moves can become official March 11, the first day of the NFL’s new league year.
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (L) embraces the Super Bowl MVP, running back Kenneth Walker III, after the Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 to win Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on February 8, 2026. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
