Montgomery

The Detroit Lions traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs along with fourth and seventh-round picks, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Monday on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.

Detroit dealt a veteran running back who wanted more carries for much-needed depth on the offensive line and extra selections in next month’s NFL draft.

The Lions later released 33-year-old offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, who started 14 games last season and has started 136 games in Detroit and with the Denver Broncos since 2016.

In Houston, Montgomery should have a chance to start.

He was a backup with little chance to play ahead of Jahymr Gibbs, a Pro Bowl player in each of his first three NFL seasons.

Montgomery finished with career lows in rushing attempts (158) and yards rushing (716). He still scored eight touchdowns and his 4.5 yards per carry trailed only his career-best 4.6 yards per attempt in 2023 when he had 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground during his debut season in Detroit.

The 28-year-old Montgomery has 6,115 yards rushing and 59 touchdowns along with 1,890 yards receiving and four scores over four seasons with the Chicago Bears and three with the Lions.

Without him on the roster, Detroit will likely look to add a backup running back in free agency this month or the draft in April.

Houston selected Scruggs in the second round in 2023. He might start at center or guard in Detroit, where revamping a once-powerful offensive line is a top priority this offseason after the weakness of the unit led to the team missing the playoffs.

Help on its way

The Cleveland Browns have agreed to acquire offensive tackle Tytus Howard from the Houston Texans for a fifth-round pick, a person familiar with the move has told The Associated Press.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not announced the deal, which can not become official until the start of the NFL’s new league year on March 11.

Howard is expected to take over at right tackle, but has also played at left tackle and right guard. The trade is also Cleveland’s first step in rebuilding an offensive line where most of its starters are free agents.

Coming back

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals solidified their offensive line by bringing back Dalton Risner on a one-year deal.

The deal ensures the starting offensive line is set before the start of free agency for the first time in Joe Burrow’s career. Risner signed with the Bengals late last August when their depth was tested because of injuries and quickly found himself on the field.

He ended up making 11 starts for Cincinnati, playing what he viewed as the best football of his seven-year career. Risner has made 92 starts in the NFL, including four years as a full-time starter with the Denver Broncos.