Who Should I Start? Dameon Pierce or Jahmyr Gibbs

Tuesday, August 27, 2:46 PM

It was clear early last season that running back Dameon Pierce wasn't a fit in the Houston Texans' zone-blocking system, making Year 2 a frustrating one for the power back. Things haven't changed this preseason for Pierce, who won't start now that Joe Mixon is back at practice, and Cam Akers has impressed in recent action in his bid to make the roster. Dare Ogunbowale seems like a lock for his special-teams and third-down value, and Houston might still want to develop rookie Jawhar Jordan rather than lose him to the waiver wire. While it's unlikely the Texans would release Pierce, he remains a trade candidate and still could be a solid reserve. The 24-year-old was approaching 1,000 rushing yards as a rookie before his season-ending injury in 2022. If an RB-needy team such as the Dallas Cowboys offered a late-round pick for him, it wouldn't be shocking to see Houston pull the trigger.

Wednesday, September 4, 5:22 PM

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) put in a full practice on Wednesday and wasn't included on the team's first official injury report of the 2024 season despite missing most of training camp and all of the preseason with a hamstring injury. Things were already trending this way, but the 22-year-old second-year back will be active in Week 1 on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams, barring a setback with his hamstring later this week at practice. Fantasy managers in redraft formats will want Gibbs locked into their starting lineups this weekend, although it's entirely possible he's eased in by the coaching staff in favor of backfield mate David Montgomery after he missed so much time in training camp. The 12th overall pick in last year's draft scored 11 total touchdowns in 15 regular-season games in his rookie campaign and should be a solid RB1 in Year 2 if he stays healthy.