Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce set a new career high in rushing yards Sunday in a 23-14 win at Tennessee, finishing with 176 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. The third-year pro did the most damage on a career-long 92-yard touchdown run in the first half, after Houston had pulled key offensive starters from the game. Sunday was the Florida product's first 100-yard game since midway through his rookie season in 2022. Though Houston already had locked down the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs and didn't have anything to gain with the win, Pierce certainly made use of his additional playing time. He and the Texans will be back in action with a to-be-determined Wild Card home game next week.
Jan 5, 2025 4:02 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce should not be started in any format on Sunday afternoon facing the Tennessee Titans. Last weekend, Pierce logged 14 offensive snaps, which was his second-highest total of the season. In this game, he ran the ball five times for 13 yards. He also ran six routes but was not targeted. While he did see a slightly increased role and logged more touches, Dare Ogunbowale has continued to see more offensive snaps over the past month. However, both running backs are being deployed as clear depth options as Joe Mixon is the lead workhorse in Houston. As a result, Pierce should not be started in any formats this weekend despite a favorable matchup against the Titans who have allowed the 12th-most PPR points to opposing running backs this season.
Jan 4, 2025 3:45 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Pierce is set to get back on the field for the first time since Week 8. He has been banged up this season and has only played in four games, but is expected to be the primary backup to Joe Mixon. The return of Pierce should take some of the workload off Mixon, but Pierce is unlikely to play enough to warrant starting in fantasy formats.
Nov 16, 2024 6:33 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) was a full-go in Friday's practice session after being listed as a limited participant on Thursday. Pierce has missed the team's last two games with his groin injury, but barring a setback in Saturday's practice, he could be cleared to play on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys. The 24-year-old's return would push Dare Ogunbowale back to the RB3 role. If Pierce is able to return in Week 11, he'll return to backup duties in the backfield behind Joe Mixon, who has been excellent in his first year with the team. Pierce has been very efficient (career-high 7.0 yards per carry) in his four games in 2024 after a disastrous second season in 2023 that saw him average just 2.9 yards a tote. However, he hasn't seen enough volume behind Mixon when healthy to give him standalone fantasy value.
Nov 15, 2024 6:59 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin), who has missed the team's last two games due to a groin ailment, is close to returning to action, according to a league source. Pierce has only 14 rushing attempts on the year in four games played, but he's gone for 98 yards (career-high 7.0 yards per tote) and a touchdown and is averaging 40 yards per kickoff return. It remains to be seen if the 24-year-old will be able to do enough in practice this week to have a shot at playing on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys, but even if he does return in Week 11, he'll most likely be eased in and will work behind workhorse Joe Mixon. Dare Ogunbowale has been serving as Houston's RB2 behind Mixon with Pierce sidelined. At best, Pierce is a handcuff option for fantasy managers that have Mixon in their starting lineups on a weekly basis.
Nov 14, 2024 12:36 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) was unable to practice all week and was officially ruled out on Friday for the Week 10 game versus the Detroit Lions on Sunday night. Pierce will miss his second straight game with a groin injury, which will allow Dare Ogunbowale and J.J. Taylor to see more change-of-pace work this weekend behind starter Joe Mixon. The 24-year-old Pierce also missed four straight games from Weeks 2-5 due to injury and has seen only 14 rushing attempts for 98 yards and a touchdown in the four games he's been active in. Pierce does have an impressive 7.0 yard-per-carry average, but he hasn't been very healthy and has had a minimal role when active behind Mixon in 2024. Pierce should be found on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues and is nothing more than a handcuff option for Mixon in deep leagues.
Nov 8, 2024 7:10 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) is not practicing for the second straight day due to a groin injury. The third-year back out of Florida missed the Week 9 loss to the New York Jets and has only been active for four games in 2024. It looks like he could be on his way to missing another week of action, meaning J.J. Taylor and Dare Ogunbowale could serve as the RB2 and RB3 for Houston behind Joe Mixon. However, Mixon is in a workhorse role, so neither backup is worth starting in fantasy lineups. Pierce remains a handcuff RB in deep leagues, but he's barely on the fantasy football radar in leagues of 12 teams or fewer.
Nov 7, 2024 2:28 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) will not be active against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football due to a groin injury. The former Florida Gator has only played in four games this season due to nagging injuries and is set to miss another contest. With Joe Mixon occupying a workhorse role, Pierce has rushed just 14 times for 98 yards and one touchdown in his third NFL campaign. In Pierce's absence, Dare Ogunbowale is the clear RB2 behind Mixon, but he does not have fantasy appeal with Mixon leading the NFL in touches per game (23.2). Mixon is set to face a tough matchup for RBs in Week 9, but his overall workload keeps him a must-start against any defense.
Oct 30, 2024 2:52 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (groin) did not practice on Tuesday. Pierce's lack of practice comes at a time when the Texans need all hands on deck. Pierce serves as the Texans' backup running back and kick returner. He is far more valuable to the team in his kick return role because starting running back Joe Mixon is receiving the vast majority of the running back touches in this offense. Pierce's lack of practice is relatively inconsequential for fantasy. When Pierce and Mixon have both been healthy in 2024, Pierce has yet to clear 1.96 fantasy points. With two DNPs under his belt at this point in the week, Pierce is trending in the wrong direction. The Texans will visit the New York Jets on Thursday. If Pierce were to miss the game, Dare Ogunbowale would step up behind him. Wide receiver Robert Woods would likely be in line to take over some of Pierce's return duties as well.
Oct 29, 2024 6:40 PM EST
Upon returning from a hamstring injury, Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce had his best game in more than a year during a 41-21 victory at New England, finishing with 76 rushing yards and a touchdown on just eight carries. The third-year back also added one catch for one yard, but compiled most of his fantasy points on a 54-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter. Sunday marked the Florida product's highest rushing total since going for 81 yards in Week 4 of the 2023 season. Running back Joe Mixon is still the clear top option in Houston, so Pierce's usage with a big lead against a bad team could be an aberration. Houston will take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 7.
Oct 13, 2024 4:44 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is off the injury report for Sunday's game against the Patriots. The 24-year-old has been sidelined since last appearing in Week 1 versus the Colts, when he finished with three carries for 16 yards. With Joe Mixon (ankle) potentially also returning for this one, Pierce's fantasy outlook isn't promising. However, even if Mixon misses another contest, Pierce will likely back up Dare Ogunbowale and Cam Akers, who have been handling things out of the backfield.
Oct 12, 2024 12:58 AM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) was upgraded to full practice participation on Thursday after being limited to start the week on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Joe Mixon (ankle) was limited after missing Wednesday's session. It appears that Houston could be getting both Pierce and Mixon back in Week 6 against the New England Patriots. Pierce hasn't played since the season-opening win over the division-rival Indianapolis Colts, but his fantasy outlook this weekend will all depend on whether Mixon returns as well as the lead back. The 24-year-old will only be worth a look as an RB3/flex option against the Patriots if he's active and Mixon is not. With both Pierce and Mixon out since Week 2, Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale have been splitting backfield work the last three weeks.
Oct 10, 2024 11:07 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is expected to return this weekend, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. The 24-year-old has been sidelined since the opening week of the season with a hamstring injury. Cam Akers took over No.2 duties in his absence and eventually became the starter when Joe Mixon (ankle) suffered an injury following Week 2. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring Joe Mixon's status, as Pierce could be the top option out of the backfield if Mixon is kept out of action. Since breaking out in his rookie campaign with an impressive 939 yards, Pierce has been stuck in a reserve role. However, he is worth a speculative add this week as he could be a solid flex option if he gets the starting nod against the New England Patriots.
Oct 9, 2024 4:25 PM EST
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) isn't expected to suit up on Sunday versus the Bills. The 24-year-old is coming along, considering he practiced in a limited capacity on Friday. However, since he had only three carries for 16 yards in Week 1 versus the Colts, the last time he was on the field, there aren't many fantasy managers looking for an update, even with Joe Mixon (ankle) ruled out. In the meantime, the Texans will continue to roll with Cam Akers to handle the bulk of the work out of the backfield. While Akers hasn't done much with his enhanced role in Houston, he deserves some consideration for fantasy lineups due to the favorable matchup on the horizon versus a Bills defense that's struggled to stop the run this season.
Oct 6, 2024 12:38 AM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is still not practicing just three days away from the Week 5 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The third-year man out of Florida is dealing with a strained hamstring and has not played since Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. Starter Joe Mixon (ankle) has missed each of the last two games and has not practiced this week, so Pierce is missing a chance to see extra touches. If both backs are out again in Week 5, Cam Akers would be in line to earn another start, but he will likely share touches with Dare Ogunbowale and J.J. Taylor. The Bills have surrendered the most fantasy points per game to running backs this season, so although Akers has struggled, he is in consideration for a flex spot if he's again the RB1 for Houston.
Oct 3, 2024 2:17 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) missed practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 4 contest on Sunday against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans were saying earlier this week that Pierce was making progress from his hamstring injury and was close to returning, but that won't happen this week. The 24-year-old will miss his third straight game after being injured in the Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Joe Mixon (ankle) is questionable and is danger of missing a second straight game as well, so Houston could be forced to use Cam Akers as their lead back once again. If Mixon is inactive on Sunday, Akers can be plugged in as an RB3/flex for fantasy managers looking for help at the position. Pierce's next chance to return will be in a Week 5 meeting against the Buffalo Bills.
Sep 27, 2024 6:28 PM EST
Despite missing his fifth-straight practice, Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is expected to return to action in Week 4. It's excellent news for the team as first-string back Joe Mixon (ankle) is still considered week-to-week after missing Houston's Week 3 matchup -- a 34-7 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. In that contest, running back Cam Akers led the team with a paltry 21 yards on nine carries. With the Texans mincing words, fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on the 24-year-old's status heading into Houston's home matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Pierce can play, he'll be in store for a sizable workload against a Jaguars squad that just got torched by the Buffalo Bills, allowing 47 points on Monday Night Football.
Sep 25, 2024 9:58 PM EST
In a positive development for the Houston Texans, running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is expected to return for a Week 4 matchup against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday, according to league sources. Pierce has been sidelined the last two games with a strained hamstring, but he figures to lead the backfield if Joe Mixon (ankle), who is regarded as week-to-week, misses his second straight game. With both Mixon and Pierce out in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Cam Akers played a team-high 43% of the offensive snaps and carried the ball nine times for 21 yards, adding an eight-yard touchdown reception. Pierce is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues, so he's certainly an interesting waiver-wire pickup ahead of Week 4 for fantasy managers in a pinch at the RB position if Mixon is eventually ruled out.
Sep 25, 2024 1:06 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. The Texans are relatively banged up after their Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears. Starting running back Joe Mixon (ankle) was also a non-participant. Pierce already missed Week 2 after recording three carries for 16 yards in Week 1. He appears to be in danger of missing Week 3. If Mixon cannot go or is limited, the Texans will need to find depth at the running back position. Cam Akers appears to be next in line for increased opportunities. For now, fantasy managers should keep an eye on this situation.
Sep 18, 2024 6:28 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) won't play against the visiting Chicago Bears on Sunday night. He didn't practice on Friday because of a hamstring injury, so fantasy managers already assumed he wouldn't be available for Week 2. However, with Joe Mixon coming off a 30-carry, 159-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Week 1 win over the Colts, Pierce wasn't expected to be a featured offensive option anyway. With Pierce out, Mixon should see another healthy workload, with Dare Ogunbowale and Cam Akers backing him up.
Sep 15, 2024 7:56 PM EST
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