Who Should I Start? Rhamondre Stevenson or Dameon Pierce

Tuesday, September 16, 10:59 AM

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson continues to operate as the lead back in New England. Stevenson delivered a strong Week 2 performance against the Miami Dolphins, rushing 11 times for 54 yards while adding five receptions for 88 yards. With rookie TreVeyon Henderson struggling in pass protection, Stevenson has reclaimed a significant role, logging 66% of the snaps and running a route on 43% of dropbacks through two weeks. The Patriots now face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3, a defense that has already allowed 100-yard rushing games to both Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker, despite neither reaching 20 carries. Stevenson projects as a mid-range RB3 and a solid FLEX play against a vulnerable Steelers run defense.

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.