Houston Texans running back Woody Marks spoke candidly after his breakout performance in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans. However, the NFL is not letting the Marks forget, even as Week 5 officially kicks off with “Thursday Night Football.”
The Texans selected Marks with the No. 116 overall pick of the 2025 draft with the idea that he would be a pass-catching complement to Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb.
Amid injuries and/or ineffectiveness of the two veterans, Marks stood out in Week 4.
Woody Marks Wins Rookie of the Week After Breakout in Texans’ Win
GettyWoody Marks #27 of the Houston Texans celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
Marks rushed for 69 yards and 1 touchdown on 17 carries against the Titans, adding another 50 yards and 1 TD on four receptions, giving the No. 116 overall pick 119 yards and 2 scores on 21 total touches in Week 4.
The efforts were enough for Marks to earn recognition from the NFL.
“@HoustonTexans RB @JoquaviousMarks 2-TD performance earned him the @pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week award for Week 4,” the NFL posted on October 2.
The league sent another post with a link to highlights of the various candidates. Marks joins Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt and Jaylin Lane of the Washington Commanders (Weeks 1 and 3, respectively) and Tyler Warren of the Indianapolis Colts as this season’s winners so far.
The NFL shared a post on game day as Marks crossed the goal line for the second time, but the most encouraging aspect for the Texans is the rookie’s mindset.
Woody Marks ‘Laser Focused’ After Breakout Game
GettyWoody Marks #27 of the Houston Texans is tackled by Dre’Mont Jones #45 of the Tennessee Titans.
Marks spoke with KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson about his approach following his big game, which figures to earn him more opportunities from Texans’ head coach DeMeco Ryans.
“Just stay laser focused,” Marks told reporters in a video KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson posted on YouTube on October 2 when asked how he builds on his performance. “No matter what the outcome was last week, last week is last week. I haven’t did nothing this week. Just got to go out and get to work.
“I’m proud of the game. We went 1-0. Got the win. That’s about it.”
“You saw it on tape at Mississippi State, at USC. You saw what he was capable of doing,” Ryans told reporters on September 29. “I’m just proud of him for just stepping in. And he’s getting more opportunities, and he’s really taking advantage of those opportunities and making the plays to really impact our team.”
Marks knows he needs the other 10 players on offense to do what he did in Week 4, too.
“Team success come with individual success,” Marks said. “Guys blocking up front and on the outside is going to give me my success.”
Woody Marks Gets Honest About Facing Ravens
GettyWoody Marks #27 of the Houston Texans reacts while playing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Marks and the Texans are taking on a maligned Baltimore Ravens team that will be without quarterback Lamar Jackson in Week 5. The Ravens will also be without starting defensive tackles Broderick Washington and Nnamdi Madubuike, the latter of whom is a Pro Bowler.
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton also missed practice on Thursday. Still, Marks is not looking at the challenge, or lack thereof, the Ravens will present as much as maintaining that winning feeling.
Still, the high-profile injuries bode well for Marks and the Texans.
“Me personally, I’m approaching it – I just want to come home with the win. Haven’t won a road game in a year, coming from college. So, just want to get the feeling of coming back home on the plane, winning a game.”
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