Damien Woody Calls Houston An Ideal Fit For Saquon Barkley, Sparking Fan Debate

Damien Woody’s Barkley Suggestion Splits Texans Fans© Instagram

Saquon Barkley in Houston sounds good to Damien Woody. Getting Texans fans to agree on what he would be worth is another matter. Woody floated Houston as a destination should Philadelphia entertain trading its star running back before the November 10 deadline. He likes what C.J. Stroud is doing and sees the ground game as the part of the offense that needs help. The Texans have recovered from an 0–4 start with consecutive wins, giving the suggestion an audience among supporters debating how much more this team should spend.

Woody Wants More Help For Stroud

“Houston, to me, makes a lot of sense,” Woody said, according to Pro Football Network.

His enthusiasm starts with the quarterback. Woody put Stroud's recent play alongside some of the league's best and argued that Barkley could improve a backfield that has struggled to match the passing attack.

Some fans immediately pushed back. They questioned Barkley's health, his age and the wisdom of adding another running back after Houston had already acquired David Montgomery. Others defended Woody Marks, arguing that defenders reaching the backfield early were making the backs look worse.

One supporter dismissed the roster-building excitement as “people just be tryna play Madden out here.”There was support for finding help, too. Injuries have reduced Houston's options, and not every fan convinced the backfield needs reinforcement insists Barkley must be the answer.
 

The Price And Blocking Remain Sticking Points

Houston Chronicle reporter Jonathan M. Alexander addressed a Barkley trade in his October 21 mailbag and was unconvinced. He expected the price to exceed what Houston would spend, particularly after surrendering a second-round pick for Marvin Harrison Jr.

Alexander also saw more trouble in the blocking than in the running backs. He still considered Montgomery a fit, with Marks potentially earning most of the carries.That assessment gives Houston a reason to keep working with its current group rather than pay for another established name.

Barkley, meanwhile, is trying to return for Philadelphia against Dallas. He missed two games with a hamstring injury, practiced on a limited basis Thursday and Friday, then completed a full session Saturday. His game designation remained questionable.

“Hopefully I'll be able to go Monday,” Barkley said after returning to practice.

He described seeking advice because he had not dealt with a hamstring injury before. Philadelphia's immediate concern is whether he can help its offense against the Cowboys on Monday night.