Who Should I Start? Ameer Abdullah or Dameon Pierce

Monday, August 11, 8:41 PM

The San Francisco 49ers have placed running back Ameer Abdullah (ribs) on season-ending injured reserve, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Abdullah, who just joined the 49ers as a free agent on July 31, suffered a rib injury in a preseason-opening 30-9 loss to the Denver Broncos this past Saturday. While the 32-year-old was unlikely to make much of an impact this season (if any), it's another hit to San Francisco's depth in the backfield. The team is already set to go multiple weeks without injured Christian McCaffrey backups Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and Jordan James (finger). The 49ers brought back Jeff Wilson Jr. in free agency on Sunday in the wake of Abdullah's injury to provide some much-needed healthy depth behind McCaffrey.

Monday, August 4, 7:31 PM

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.