David Montgomery gave the Houston Texans one of the day’s most notable plays Tuesday morning, cutting through the interior of the Raiders defense for an impressive run during the first joint practice of the 2026 season.
The moment stood out because, according to John Harris, Montgomery had not had a real chance to show everything he can do during training camp. The Texans had been limiting his touches, so the joint session offered a better look at the kind of burst and inside-running ability he can bring when the offense opens things up.
Texans offense starts fast
Montgomery’s run was part of a strong showing for the Texans offense in back-to-back true practice days. C.J. Stroud opened Tuesday’s work with three straight completions, giving Houston an early rhythm in the controlled setting against the Raiders.
Harris also noted the offense’s overall work with the kind of quick praise that suggested the group was moving well throughout the session. One of his takeaways was, “57 on 98 - doing a good job,” followed by, “ALL DAY!”
The Texans did not finish perfectly, though. At the end of Tuesday’s practice, the offense had two interceptions in two-minute situations. Even so, the larger picture from the day was a positive one, especially for Montgomery, who finally got a chance to flash after a quieter stretch in camp.
For Houston, the practice was another useful step in a busy early stretch of the 2026 season. For Montgomery, it was a reminder that his value goes beyond workload volume. When he finds a lane, he can still make a defense look crowded in a hurry.
