The Houston Texans’ backfield has spent the last ten days under a microscope, but as of Tuesday’s practice, the smoke is finally clearing. After a lingering ankle injury forced rookie standout Woody Marks to miss the Week 16 battle against the Raiders, the news coming out of the facility today is exactly what fans needed to hear that Marks was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice.

While the "full participant" tag is a clinical term on an injury report, the subtext for the Texans is much louder. As Houston prepares for a pivotal Saturday showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers, the return of their fourth-round gem isn’t just about depth, it’s about restoring the identity of an offense that looks its best when Marks is the sparkplug firing off in the engine.

There was plenty of frustration when Marks was ruled out last Sunday. Coach DeMeco Ryans had teased that Marks "could have returned" during the Week 15 win over Arizona, leading many to believe the Week 16 absence was a sign of a setback.

However, looking at the landscape today, the decision to sit him against Las Vegas was a smart decision for long-term roster management.

The Big Picture: The Texans aren't just playing for a Wild Card spot, they are playing to be a problem in January.

The Depth Check: Sitting Marks allowed the team to see what they had in Jawhar Jordan and provided veteran Nick Chubb more reps to find his rhythm post-rib injury.

By prioritizing Marks' health last week, the Texans have ensured that for the final stretch, they aren't just getting back a "healthy-ish" runner, but rather they are getting back a "full-tilt" playmaker.

In 14 games this season, Marks has racked up nearly 800 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns. But his value transcends the box score. As a rookie, he has become C.J. Stroud’s most reliable safety valve, leading the backfield in receptions and pass-protection efficiency.

Against a Chargers defense that thrives on creating pressure, having a back who can both pass-protect and punish blitzes as a receiver is non-negotiable. Marks’ return allows the Texans to return to their "multiple" look, rotating him with Chubb to keep defenses off-balance.

The Tuesday update proves that the Texans' medical staff handled this the right way. In the modern NFL, there is a fine line between "toughing it out" and "burning out." By letting Marks heal properly, Houston has preserved one of their most versatile offensive weapons for the games that actually define a season.

If Woody Marks is truly a full-go for Saturday, Texans fans will rejoice that the backfield will be back to normal. The Texans aren't just getting a runner back, they’re getting their heartbeat ground attack back.