Montgomery Sits Again and Woody Marks Carries the Load: Sunday's Last-Minute Fantasy Calls, From Cleveland to Munich

Saturday's final injury news changed a few fantasy lineups, and the most important change came out of Houston. If you have Texans running backs, or you are counting on the Chiefs' backfield, read this before you lock in your Sunday lineup.

The Houston Texans downgraded running back David Montgomery to out for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns because of his groin injury, NBC Sports reported. That was a surprise to many fantasy managers. Montgomery had been listed as questionable and had practiced fully on Friday before the team made the change.

In my game plan for this one earlier in the week, Montgomery was the big question mark. Now we have the answer, and it simplifies the decision. Do not wait on him, and do not leave him in a lineup hoping for a late reversal.

Woody Marks will once again serve as Houston's lead back, with Emari Demercado and Dare Ogunbowale providing depth, according to RotoWire. The volume has been there. Marks has logged at least 15 carries in each of his last four games.

The touchdowns have not. Marks has not found the end zone since Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, RotoWire noted. That keeps him in the low-end RB2 or flex range for me rather than a locked-in starter. In a full-point PPR league, the guaranteed workload makes him a safe floor play. In leagues that reward touchdowns heavily, he is a reasonable flex with some risk.

As for Ogunbowale, the Texans released him on Thursday, then signed him to the practice squad and elevated him to the active roster on Saturday, RotoWire reported. He has been more of a depth and passing-down option, and he has not had a carry in his appearances this season. He is not a fantasy consideration this week.

The other major late change involves Kansas City. The Chiefs ruled out running back Kenneth Walker for Sunday's game in Atlanta with a groin injury, The Washington Post reported. Walker hurt the groin in Thursday's practice, and although the injury is considered minor, the team chose to give him extra time, according to reports. Rookie Emmett Johnson, a fifth-round pick, steps in as the lead ball carrier.

This was supposed to be a matchup of the league's top two rushers. Atlanta's Bijan Robinson leads the NFL with 880 rushing yards, just eight more than Walker's 872, according to Fox News. Robinson remains an every-week starter, and with Walker out, he is the clear top back in this game.

Johnson is a volume-based start in deeper leagues. He should get the bulk of the work in Walker's place, though rookie backs can be pulled in passing situations, so treat him as a flex rather than a sure thing.

There is good news on the other side of the ball. Patrick Mahomes practiced fully all week and has no injury designation, Fox News reported. He took a hard hit to his right arm in last week's 35-12 win over the New York Jets, but an MRI showed no major damage to his elbow. Start Mahomes with confidence.

Remember that the first game of the day kicks off Sunday morning in Munich, Germany, between the Patriots and the Detroit Lions. On the Patriots' final injury report, running back TreVeyon Henderson was ruled out with an illness, and Rhamondre Stevenson is listed as questionable with a knee injury. Receiver A.J. Brown (ankle, knee) is also questionable.

If you were counting on any New England player, make sure your lineup is final before that morning kickoff. Inactive lists usually come out about 90 minutes before each game, and Munich's comes early. If Stevenson is active, he is a flex option at best. If he sits, look elsewhere.

Start Woody Marks as a flex or low-end RB2. Start Bijan Robinson. Consider Emmett Johnson as a flex. Keep Mahomes in your lineup. And check on Stevenson before the morning game in Germany.

Want to put your lineup instincts to the test? Our free Liberty Bell Fantasy games are open at /fantasy. Good luck this Sunday, and enjoy the games with your family.