It’s been quite the career so far for Houston Texans’ running back Dameon Pierce.
After rushing for 939 yards in his rookie season, the former fourth rounder out of Florida has slowly lost his role within the offense. Pierce finished his 2023 campaign with a limited role, ending the year with just 416 yards on 145 carries. With the new regime in Houston, general manager Nick Caserio made the move to sign Joe Mixon last offseason.
Mixon took full advantage of the heavy workload, becoming the organization's first running back since Carlos Hyde to reach 1,000 rushing yards in a season. However, the acquisition completely diminished any opportunities for Pierce while he’s on his rookie contract.
In addition to selecting former USC running back Woody Marks in the 2025 NFL draft, rumors have begun swirling on the potential of Houston targeting veteran J.K. Dobbins in free agency. Whether these rumors are true or not, it's clear that Pierce's time with the Texans is coming to a close.
But the 25-year-old still has potential, which could be beneficial for a team looking for a bruiser back. He thrived in a backup running back role, as he recorded 7.3 yards per carry in his 40 attempts. One playoff team that could use a back like him is the Kansas City Chiefs, who lacked depth at the position once Isiah Pacheco suffered an injury midseason in 2024.
Former Florida star is quietly on the Texans' chopping block
Former Florida standout Dameon Pierce, once seen as the Houston Texans’ future at running back, is now facing an uncertain future with the team as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
Pierce burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2022, amassing over 1,100 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns, but his role has diminished sharply since then. The Texans have added veteran backs Devin Singletary and Joe Mixon in consecutive offseasons, pushing Pierce down the depth chart and limiting his offensive snaps to just 111 in 2024, with most of his 293 rushing yards coming in a single game when starters were rested.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans recently acknowledged the need to improve opportunities for Pierce but emphasized the importance of better blocking up front. “We just have to give him more opportunities,” Ryans said, “but we have to block it better so he does have the opportunities to make some plays in the running game”.
Despite the challenges, Ryans expressed optimism about Pierce’s potential, stating after a recent game, “Happy for Dameon. He’s just made the most out of his opportunity”. Still, the Texans’ decision to sit Pierce in the preseason finale hinted at a possible trade or release, as the team looks to free cap space and explore other running back options.
Pierce himself remains focused on his role and impact beyond just on-field stats. “It’s more than that when it comes to an owner looking at this guy like, ‘How did this guy impact our organization? How did this guy impact our locker room?’ The play on the field is obvious,” Pierce said about the running back market and his value to the team.
With the Texans expected to target running backs in the upcoming draft and the front office seeking roster flexibility, Pierce is widely viewed as a candidate to be cut or traded before the season begins.
Moving on would save Houston $1.1 million and open a spot for a more consistent contributor. Unless Pierce delivers a dramatic turnaround in training camp, his time in Houston could be nearing its end.
