Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce did get a little bit of playing time in Week 1, but he does not look to be a large part of the Texans' backfield rotation coming into their Week 2 matchup against the Buccaneers on Monday. Pierce played only seven snaps (11%) in Week 1 against the Rams, taking his three carries for three yards. He played well behind starter Nick Chubb and passing-down back Dare Ogunbowale. He and Woody Marks got identical workloads, but neither of them showed much reason for more work going forward. Pierce could still have upside later in the year if he claims a bigger role, but for now, he's in an extremely limited role in a struggling offense, so he can be on waiver wires in most leagues. He's only the RB72 in RotoBaller's Week 2 rankings.
Sep 14, 2025 6:35 AM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce totaled five yards on his three carries in Sunday's 14-9 road loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He failed to bring in his lone target. Veteran Nick Chubb was the only Houston rusher to see more than three carries (13), and Pierce technically saw the second-most of his fellow RBs. However, rookie Woody Marks also saw three attempts, and Dare Ogunbowale handled two of his own. It was a rough day for Houston's offense overall, as they were blanked in the second half by a hungry Rams' defense. Still, Chubb was the clear-cut Texans RB1 in this outing, and Pierce's current touch load wouldn't be enough to sustain fantasy value. Houston will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as part of a Monday Night Football doubleheader in Week 2. We'll see if Pierce can carve out a larger role then.
Sep 8, 2025 12:59 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce should have an opportunity to contribute early in the season for his team, since Joe Mixon (ankle) is on the reserve/non-football injury list and will miss at least the first four weeks and possibly longer. Pierce is expected to share the workload in the backfield with veteran Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks. Chubb will likely take the lead on early-down work, with Marks playing on receiving downs and Pierce mixing in as well. Exactly how the timeshare is divided out will go a long way to determining the fantasy value of all three running backs at the start of the season. Chubb has been inefficient since returning from injury, but Pierce has also struggled since producing 939 rushing yards on 220 carries as a rookie back in 2022. He had just 40 carries last year but racked up 293 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. If Pierce stays healthy and Chubb struggles, the younger, more explosive back could play his way up the depth chart for new Offensive Coordinator Nick Caley if he comes out strong against the Rams in Week 1, so keep an eye on how the timeshare plays out. Pierce is extremely high-risk in the unclear situation, though, so he's only RB63 in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings, and he shouldn't be started until his playing time is more certain.
Sep 5, 2025 10:33 PM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (quad) told KPRC's Aaron Wilson that his recovery is ahead of schedule and he feels ready for the regular season. "It's really a couple weeks ahead of schedule, which is a blessing," Pierce said. "I feel ready to go." The Florida product missed six games last season and didn't mak a single start. In order to get him some game reps before the regular season, the Texans' coaching staff put him on the field for a portion of their preseason finale earlier this month. In that contest, he rushed seven times for 17 yards on the ground. Houston may be forced to call on the 25-year-old early this season as the timetable for Joe Mixon (ankle) remains very unclear. At a minimum, he'll miss four games, leaving Nick Chubb to lead the backfield while Pierce and Woody Marks occupy supplementary roles. There's a chance Pierce could earn some meaningful touches, which would justify drafting him in the final rounds of your fantasy draft. However, it's just as likely that Chubb and Marks both play quite well, leaving Pierce without much of a role. At worst, you can draft him with your final pick and then just drop him if it doesn't work out.
Sep 1, 2025 12:27 AM EST
In one of the more interesting backfield situations in the league, Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce is now seeing first-team reps, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC in Houston. The status of Joe Mixon (foot) is up in the air as the season approaches, while new addition Nick Chubb (head) has also missed time, to say nothing of the major knee injury he suffered in 2023. Pierce rushed for 939 yards as a rookie and has had fleeting moments of success since, but mostly in a secondary role. A committee situation may be worth monitoring as the season approaches.
Aug 13, 2025 10:50 AM EST
Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (quadriceps) passed his physical for a strained quadriceps and was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Pierce looked good while working off to the side at Monday's training camp practice, but now he'll officially be able to rejoin the rest of the team. The 25-year-old could see plenty of reps out of the backfield upon his return, too, with Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) still signed. Pierce will be battling with veteran Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks for a role in Houston's backfield in 2025 behind Mixon if he's healthy. He was rarely used when he was healthy in 2024, carrying the ball a career-low 40 times for 293 yards and two touchdowns in 11 regular-season games (no starts). Even if Mixon isn't ready for the start of the regular season, Pierce could be the RB3 in Houston.
Aug 4, 2025 7:31 PM EST
The Houston Texans placed both wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) and running back Dameon Pierce (undisclosed) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Dell suffered a dislocated knee and tore his ACL, MCL and LCL last year in Week 16, so he's not expected to practice at all in training camp or play at all in 2025. The 25-year-old has already had multiple surgeries on his knee in the offseason and may never be the same player if he's able to return in 2026. It's part of the reason why Houston drafted rookie pass-catchers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Pierce, meanwhile, will be sidelined to begin training camp this summer with an undisclosed ailment, but he can be activated at any time. When healthy, he'll primarily be battling former Brown Nick Chubb for backup duties to Joe Mixon (ankle).
Jul 23, 2025 11:07 AM EST
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
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