Texans head coach Lovie Smith said he is unsure of the status for Dameon Pierce (ankle) heading into Week 15.
Smith was also quoted as saying, "It will take an awful lot for him to not play." While an encouraging sentiment, we can't ignore the fact that Pierce exited Sunday's loss to the Cowboys and was sidelined for almost the entire fourth quarter. If he's unable to go next week against the Chiefs, the Texans could mix in Dare Ogunbowale, Eno Benjamin and Rex Burkhead, who all saw touches yesterday with Pierce sidelined. Any of these options will be hard to trust for fantasy purposes if Pierce is ultimately sidelined.
Dec 12, 2022, 2:13 PM ET
Dameon Pierce (ankle) will miss Week 15 and possibly Week 16.
NFL insider Aaron Wilson described Pierce's injury as a "relatively mild high ankle sprain." The rookie suffered no structural damage to his ankle, per Wilson. Pierce went down in Week 14 against the Cowboys after rushing 22 times for 78 yards and a score. It looks like the Texans, who curiously waived Eno Benjamin on Tuesday morning, will be left with Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale as their primary running backs for the next week or two. Burkhead shapes up as the likely lead back. Tell you friends and family: Burkhead szn has arrived once again. The veteran should be picked up in deep fantasy leagues this week.
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SOURCE: Click2Houston.com
Dec 13, 2022, 8:59 AM ET
Texans placed RB Dameon Pierce (ankle) on injured reserve.
Pierce emerged from Week 14 with an ankle injury, which will ultimately end his season. Only Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale remain on Houston's depth chart at the position, meaning a game-day practice squad elevation is likely in the books for Week 15. Pierce's rookie season ends with 1,104 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns. It appears the Texans found a mainstay at the position in the fourth-round rookie.
Dec 17, 2022, 4:37 PM ET
I added Ogbunwale but I really don’t knowIs there anyone worth anything here? Burkhead, Freeman?
Added tons of Ogwunwhatever and some Burkhead this week(because he was not as available). Expectations are low and mainly revolve around them getting drummed so badly along with their main WR's injured so they see a lot of dump offs and maybe get super lucky with a goal line plunge.Is there anyone worth anything here? Burkhead, Freeman?
I would be shocked. He played very well in all phases of the game last year, and as many needs as this team has, why would they waste an early pick on a RB to what, MAYBE get slightly better (if that's even possible outside of taking Robinson)Should keep starting role and Houston not likely to draft a RB high right?
It would shock me as well, but it does happen sometimes. Would be comparable in my eyes to the Jets' picking Breece Hall last year after Michael Carter in 2021.I would be shocked. He played very well in all phases of the game last year, and as many needs as this team has, why would they waste an early pick on a RB to what, MAYBE get slightly better (if that's even possible outside of taking Robinson)Should keep starting role and Houston not likely to draft a RB high right?
Should keep starting role and Houston not likely to draft a RB high right?
Would be comparable in my eyes to the Jets' picking Breece Hall last year after Michael Carter in 2021.
This is true, I guess I was particularly thinking of Bijan. But that's not at all what OP said, they only said a high RB. So yeah, it would only be similar if it's Bijan, or possibly Gibbs.Would be comparable in my eyes to the Jets' picking Breece Hall last year after Michael Carter in 2021.
Breece Hall is light years better than Carter and they knew it. Nobody but Bijan is light years better than Pierce this year. Gibbs is too complementary a back to be light years ahead. He doesn't run between the tackles well enough to be Hall or Bijan. IMO. It wouldn't be comparable to the situation. It would be comparable only as much as draft capital would be similar.
It happens a lot actually.It would shock me as well, but it does happen sometimes.
NFL Beat Writers @32BeatWriters
Texans RB Coach on Pierce's pass-blocking improvment: "He can now see the big picture and can identify things quicker to get to his pickups. That's going to help us out tremendously...But his ability to pass protect, he understands what is needed in our passing game from him.
Texans running backs coach Danny Barrett said Dameon Pierce has improved his pass blocking this offseason.
Pierce struggled with picking up blitzers through most of his otherwise-impressive rookie campaign. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 128th best pass blocking back in 2022. “He can now see the big picture and can identify things quicker to get to his pickups,” Barrett said. “That’s going to help us out tremendously. When he is in the game, teams think we are going to just run the football. But his ability to pass protect, he understands what is needed in our passing game from him.” It’s a good thing Pierce has shown improvement. The Texans in March signed former Bills RB Devin Singletary, who PFF graded as the league’s fifth best pass-blocking back in 2022. Pierce profiles as a solid mid-round value in what should be an improved Texans offense coached by Kyle Shanahan disciple Bobby Slowik.
I'm a big Pierce guy but I saw this goal a few days ago and thought it was one of the weakest goals I can remember a player citing. That's just 61 more yards then he had last year and he missed 4 games so his goal is to basically regress or miss more games.
1100 at least!I'm a big Pierce guy but I saw this goal a few days ago and thought it was one of the weakest goals I can remember a player citing. That's just 61 more yards then he had last year and he missed 4 games so his goal is to basically regress or miss more games.
Please Dameon, dream a little bigger.
Dwain McFarland
Dameon Pierce looking like clear No. 1 back in Houston.
*Rested Week 1 preseason
*67% of snaps in Week 2 with starters
*58% route participation
*67% of long-down-distance snaps
Singletary appears to be change of pace.
Pierce looks more like a Round 4 RB in fantasy.
Dameon Pierce played every offensive snap with the Texans’ first-team offense on their first two drives in Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Dolphins.
Pierce won’t be handling 100 percent of the Texans’ backfield snaps in 2023, but his usage in Saturday’s game can’t be ignored. As Establish the Run’s Adam Levitan pointed out after the game, Pierce was in “on about 25 percent of third downs” for the Texans as a rookie but was in on every third down for the Texans on their first two drives. It’s possible this is nothing more than the Texans giving Pierce more work in the preseason, but he’s already locked in as the team’s early-down back. Any additional work on third down and in the passing game would only raise the ceiling of a player who is currently going as a low-end RB2 in fantasy drafts.
Dwain McFarland
RB Dameon Pierce is distancing from Devin Singletary.
*Rested in Week 1 of the preseason
*67% snaps in Week 2 with starters
*58% route participation
*67% of long-down-distance
Outlook: If Pierce gets to 60% route participation, he has top-12 upside.
32BeatWriters
"Dameon Pierce established himself as one of the team's best players last year... But on Thursday, (he) stressed how he's continuing to work on improving his technique, boring down on the fundamentals, and working to continue improving his chemistry with the offensive line."Pierce: "It's still Year 2 for me, so I have a lot of room to grow. I have a lot more football to play. I have a lot more experience to gain. Preseason's a perfect way to do that in a controlled environment."
The Athletic’s Mike Jones believes the Texans plan on “going with a platoon” at running back this season.
This would go against some of what we saw earlier this preseason when Dameon Pierce handled every-down snaps at various points in games, but that could have been nothing more than practice reps — particularly on third down. The Texans opted to not bring back last year’s third down back, Rex Burkhead, this offseason, and have a bevy of third down snaps up for grabs. Burkhead ranked 12th amongst running backs in third down snaps last season, which stand to be split between Pierce or Devin Singletary this season. Pierce has been a preferred pick by those fading the running back position early in drafts, but could come with some added risk if the split is greater than imagined. He would still project as a top-24 back in PPR leagues, but the hidden upside that’s centered around added snaps and work in the passing game is at risk of being snuffed out.
Of course we get this news after I finally buy on him in one league.The Athletic’s Mike Jones believes the Texans plan on “going with a platoon” at running back this season.
This would go against some of what we saw earlier this preseason when Dameon Pierce handled every-down snaps at various points in games, but that could have been nothing more than practice reps — particularly on third down. The Texans opted to not bring back last year’s third down back, Rex Burkhead, this offseason, and have a bevy of third down snaps up for grabs. Burkhead ranked 12th amongst running backs in third down snaps last season, which stand to be split between Pierce or Devin Singletary this season. Pierce has been a preferred pick by those fading the running back position early in drafts, but could come with some added risk if the split is greater than imagined. He would still project as a top-24 back in PPR leagues, but the hidden upside that’s centered around added snaps and work in the passing game is at risk of being snuffed out.
Not sure exactly what the news is. Pretty nebulous reporting. So he goes from 90% of touches to 75%? Or from 75% down to 55%? I don’t think this report really even sheds a glimmer of light on expectations.Of course we get this news after I finally buy on him in one league.The Athletic’s Mike Jones believes the Texans plan on “going with a platoon” at running back this season.
This would go against some of what we saw earlier this preseason when Dameon Pierce handled every-down snaps at various points in games, but that could have been nothing more than practice reps — particularly on third down. The Texans opted to not bring back last year’s third down back, Rex Burkhead, this offseason, and have a bevy of third down snaps up for grabs. Burkhead ranked 12th amongst running backs in third down snaps last season, which stand to be split between Pierce or Devin Singletary this season. Pierce has been a preferred pick by those fading the running back position early in drafts, but could come with some added risk if the split is greater than imagined. He would still project as a top-24 back in PPR leagues, but the hidden upside that’s centered around added snaps and work in the passing game is at risk of being snuffed out.
Gah!
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Did I hear two OL starters out? That ain’t good if true
Did I hear two OL starters out? That ain’t good if true
Yep, both on IR. Kenyon Green out for the year. Tytus Howard expected back in Week 5 but who knows. Going to be a struggle for the Texans offense.
To be fair, the Texans actually have really good OL depth. Josh Jones and George Fant are the replacements, and they were decent starters in Arizona and New York the last 2 years. Even with these injuries, its probably a better OL than what they had last year, with these guys, and Shaq Mason. Having said that, Baltimore is an awful matchup, and I'd be benching Pierce where I could, however, still very excited about Indy and Jacksonville after that.Did I hear two OL starters out? That ain’t good if true
Would you bench for Doubs or Jefferson?To be fair, the Texans actually have really good OL depth. Josh Jones and George Fant are the replacements, and they were decent starters in Arizona and New York the last 2 years. Even with these injuries, its probably a better OL than what they had last year, with these guys, and Shaq Mason. Having said that, Baltimore is an awful matchup, and I'd be benching Pierce where I could, however, still very excited about Indy and Jacksonville after that.Did I hear two OL starters out? That ain’t good if true
I'd stick with Pierce there. We know he'll at least get 15 touches or so, I can't really say how healthy Doubs is, and Jefferson is a guy, I'd probably never recommend. I'd have low-ish expectations though.Would you bench for Doubs or Jefferson?To be fair, the Texans actually have really good OL depth. Josh Jones and George Fant are the replacements, and they were decent starters in Arizona and New York the last 2 years. Even with these injuries, its probably a better OL than what they had last year, with these guys, and Shaq Mason. Having said that, Baltimore is an awful matchup, and I'd be benching Pierce where I could, however, still very excited about Indy and Jacksonville after that.Did I hear two OL starters out? That ain’t good if true
Dameon Pierce rushed 11 times for 38 yards in the Texans’ Week 1 loss to the Ravens, adding two receptions for nine additional yards.
It was a forgettable day for Pierce, who entered Week 1 with high expectations after a promising rookie season. Pierce’s longest play of the day came on a nine-yard reception, but he averaged a dismal 3.5 yards per carry and was repeatedly stuff by a stout Ravens defense. If there’s one positive to take away from his outing, Pierce out-targeted Devin Singletary 3-0 and could be viewed as the top receiving option out of the backfield. Pierce will look to bounce back in Week 2 against the Colts.
- Rotoworld
agree. He runs well. He’ll get his.I thought he fought hard...the O didn't given him a lot of room
Dameon Pierce rushed 11 times for 38 yards in the Texans’ Week 1 loss to the Ravens, adding two receptions for nine additional yards.
It was a forgettable day for Pierce, who entered Week 1 with high expectations after a promising rookie season. Pierce’s longest play of the day came on a nine-yard reception, but he averaged a dismal 3.5 yards per carry and was repeatedly stuff by a stout Ravens defense. If there’s one positive to take away from his outing, Pierce out-targeted Devin Singletary 3-0 and could be viewed as the top receiving option out of the backfield. Pierce will look to bounce back in Week 2 against the Colts.
- Rotoworld