As the Houston Texans prepare for their Week 16 clash against the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday, the Wednesday injury report has sent a ripple of anxiety, and a dash of cautious optimism, through H-Town. Two names dominate the conversation, rookie sensation Woody Marks and the veteran powerhouse Nick Chubb.

With the Texans currently riding a six-game winning streak and solidifying their playoff positioning, the management of these two backs will define whether Houston enters the postseason with a roar or a limp.

Woody Marks being listed as DNP (Did Not Participate) on Wednesday with an ankle injury is the headline nobody wanted to see, yet everyone expected. Marks has been a revelation this season, ascending from a fourth-round pick to the engine of the Texans’ offense.

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However, this isn’t his first dance with a “sore ankle.” While head coach DeMeco Ryans downplayed the exit against Arizona, suggesting Marks could have returned if the game were closer, the “DNP” tag tells a story of a rookie body starting to feel the 17-game grind.

The Risk: If the Texans rush him back to secure a higher seed, they risk losing their most explosive playmaker for the wildcard round.

The Reality: The Raiders have struggled significantly this season, but overlooking them with a depleted backfield is how “trap games” are born.

On the flip side, seeing Nick Chubb as a Limited Participant (LP) with a rib injury is a massive boost. After missing the Cardinals game, Chubb’s return to the practice field suggests he’s ready to provide the veteran stability this young team needs.

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If Marks is sidelined or limited, the pressure on Chubb shifts from “change-of-pace vet” to “stabilizer.” While he isn’t the same “video-game-stat” runner he was pre-injury, his presence in the huddle and his ability to punish a weary Raiders defense in the fourth quarter cannot be overstated.

The “Jawhar Jordan” Factor

Let’s be honest: the emergence of Jawhar Jordan (101 yards in his debut last week) has given the Texans the luxury of being “cautious” with Marks. For the first time in years, the Texans have a “good” problem, a roster of talent that allows them to play the long game.

Texans Fans shouldn’t panic about the Wednesday report. In fact, they should lean into it. If Woody Marks needs to sit this one out to be 100% for January, the combination of a returning Nick Chubb and a hungry Jawhar Jordan is more than enough to handle a 2-12 Raiders squad.

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The goal isn’t just to beat Las Vegas, it’s to ensure that when the lights get brightest in the playoffs, the Texans have their full stable of thoroughbreds ready to run.

Texans Fans shouldn’t panic about the Wednesday report. Ultimately, it should be a reminder that while the Texans have the talent to reach the Super Bowl, their path will be paved by the depth of their roster. Whether it’s Nick Chubb regaining his form as the bruising closer or Jawhar Jordan proving that last week was no fluke, Houston has built a backfield that doesn’t have to break when one piece is missing.

Keeping Woody Marks in bubble wrap for one more week isn’t just a smart coaching move, it’s a championship-caliber investment in a postseason run that looks more promising with every passing Sunday.

The goal isn’t just to beat Las Vegas, it’s to ensure that the playoff run is attainable and in arms reach with their full stable of thoroughbreds ready to run.