Who Should I Start? MarShawn Lloyd or Woody Marks

Friday, December 5, 5:12 PM

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (calf) has been ruled out and will not come off Injured Reserve to play on Sunday at Lambeau Field against the division-rival Chicago Bears in Week 14, according to the team. Lloyd finally returned to practice for the first time earlier this week, but he's not ready to play in games just yet. The 24-year-old former third-round pick in 2024 out of USC hasn't played at all this season and managed to suit up in just one game in his rookie campaign last year due to injuries. He has reportedly put in plenty of time and effort to get his body right so that he can hopefully put his injuries in the rearview mirror for good. The Packers had high hopes for Lloyd when they drafted him, but he just hasn't been able to stay on the field. It's unclear how much more time he'll need, but when he is activated from IR, he'll merely be vying for a backup role alongside Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks behind starter Josh Jacobs.

Friday, December 5, 7:15 PM

Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks (ankle) was able to practice in full on Friday and has been cleared to play on Sunday night in a matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on the road. Marks tweaked his ankle in the Week 13 win over the Indianapolis Colts but eventually returned to the game, and the 24-year-old's injury was never considered very serious, despite the fact that he did not practice on Wednesday. Marks was limited on Thursday. The fourth-rounder has become a much bigger part of the Texans' backfield plan since their Week 6 bye, and he has out-produced and out-touched veteran Nick Chubb. Since the team's bye, Marks has seen double-digit carries in every game and has a total of 349 rushing yards and one touchdown on 98 carries, adding 12 receptions for 92 yards and another score. The Chiefs have allowed the seventh-fewest half-PPR points per game to RBs this year, but Marks' volume alone vaults him into low-end RB2 territory, especially with quarterback C.J. Stroud now back from a concussion.