The Lions' one-two rushing duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, affectionately known among Detroit fans as "Sonic and Knuckles," is no more after the Lions traded Montgomery to the Texans for interior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Montgomery, 28, the hard-pounding "Knuckles" of the Lions duo, played three seasons with Detroit, rushing for 2,506 yards at 4.5 yards per carry, with 33 touchdowns. He began his career with four seasons with the Bears.
Scruggs, 26, a Texans second-round pick in 2023, has served primarily as a reserve at both guard spots and center, making 20 starts (one is 2025) over three seasons.
My take: There was some sourced reporting that Montgomery wanted out, a notion he denied publicly Sunday. Monday, he's gone. A big move by the Lions, who are erasing a bunch of production that was only going to cost $6 million in 2026. If it's increased workload Montgomery seeks, he won't get any more in Houston, who have Woody Marks, Joe Mixon returning from injury and Nick Chubb entering his second season after major knee surgery (though expected to hit free agency). The Lions need the o-line help for sure, but Scruggs isn't an NFL starter, unless they see something others don't.
THE ASYLUM
'Sonic and Knuckles' no more
The Lions' one-two rushing duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, affectionately known among Detroit fans as "Sonic and Knuckles," is no more after the Lions traded Montgomery to the Texans for interior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Montgomery, 28, the hard-pounding "Knuckles" of the Lions duo, played three seasons with Detroit, rushing for 2,506 yards at 4.5 yards per carry, with 33 touchdowns. He began his career with four seasons with the Bears.
Scruggs, 26, a Texans second-round pick in 2023, has served primarily as a reserve at both guard spots and center, making 20 starts (one is 2025) over three seasons.
My take: There was some sourced reporting that Montgomery wanted out, a notion he denied publicly Sunday. Monday, he's gone. A big move by the Lions, who are erasing a bunch of production that was only going to cost $6 million in 2026. If it's increased workload Montgomery seeks, he won't get any more in Houston, who have Woody Marks, Joe Mixon returning from injury and Nick Chubb entering his second season after major knee surgery (though expected to hit free agency). The Lions need the o-line help for sure, but Scruggs isn't an NFL starter, unless they see something others don't.
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