Who Should I Start? Dameon Pierce or Jarquez Hunter

Monday, September 15, 5:58 PM

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce is a healthy inactive for Week 2 on Monday Night Football against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pierce was active in the Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams but only played seven offensive snaps and had three rushing attempts for five yards. With the 25-year-old in street clothes for this one, Dare Ogunbowale, rookie Woody Marks, and British Brooks will be battling for change-of-pace touches behind veteran Nick Chubb. Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) is typically Houston's clear-cut workhorse back when healthy, but he opened the year on the Non-Football Injury list, and it's unclear when he might be able to return this year. It's possible that Pierce could be active in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but for now, he has no business being rostered in single-year fantasy leagues.

Sunday, September 7, 3:11 PM

Los Angeles Rams running back Jarquez Hunter (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Week 1 against the Houston Texans. Although the rookie has fourth-round draft capital, it appears that the coaching staff wasn't ready to include him as a member of their gameday backfield. Hunter's absence is not necessarily a surprise, though. Yesterday, we noted that Hunter's position on the depth chart may be falling after the Rams elevated Cody Schrader from the practice squad. Indeed, Schrader will operate behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, while Hunter watches from the sideline. He's a fine dynasty stash but should be dropped in all redraft leagues.