Latest news with #DameonPierce
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chubb, Pierce splitting reps with Texans starters
Denny Carter dives into the Houston Texans backfield after both Nick Chubb and Dameon Pierce split reps with the first-team offense, explaining why it's not an ideal fantasy situation.
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans place 11 players, including DL Denico Autry, WR Tank Dell on PUP list
Several key Houston Texans players will miss the start of training camp. The Texans have placed 11 players on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the start of training camp Wednesday morning, including defensive lineman Denico Autry (knee), defensive end Derek Barnett, offensive tackle Trent Brown, wide receiver Tank Dell (knee surgeries), defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (shoulder), running back Dameon Pierce and defensive back Jimmie Ward (foot surgery). Pierce, a former starter for the Texans' ground game, needs a promising season to prove his value to the offense following the arrival of Pro Bowl runner Nick Chubb this offseason. Last season, as the team's No. 2 back behind Joe Mixon, he finished with 293 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 7.3 yards a carry. Speaking of Mixon, the Texans have placed him on the non-football injury list, according to KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson. He's expected to return before the start of the regular season, but there's no timetable on when he could start practicing with C.J. Stroud and newly acquired Pro Bowl rusher Nick Chubb. In his first season with the Texans, Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns, helping Houston secure its second AFC South division title under DeMeco Ryans. On pace to eclipse over 1,300 yards, Mixon was limited to 14 games due to an ankle injury suffered in Week 2's win over the Chicago Bears. Here's a full list of all players not participating in practice to begin training camp: DL Denico Autry (knee) DE Derek Barnett OT Trent Brown (patellar tendon) OL Eli Cox WR Tank Dell (knee surgeries) DL Foley Fatukasi (shoulder) DL Kurt Hinish DE K.C. Ossai RB Dameon Pierce (quadriceps) DB Jimmie Ward (foot surgery) This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans place RB Dameon Pierce, DL Denico Autry on PUP list
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans RB Dameon Pierce activated to practice, clears physical
Dameon Pierce is back with the Houston Texans. Pierce, the Texans' No. 2 running back, passed his physical on Monday, thus prompting the Texans to activate him from the active/PUP list. He was spotted early at practice on Tuesday morning for the start of warm-ups. Pierce, who enters the final year of his rookie contract, opened training camp on the PUP list due to what was later determined to be a quad strain. On Monday, Pierce was described as going high speed on the side, thus show the activity was enough for him to pass a physical. Right now, the Texans are without top back Joe Mixon, who is currently on the active/non-football injury list due to a lingering foot injury suffered earlier in the offseason. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, he's slated to be evaluated again closer to the regular season ahead of Week 1's game against the Los Angeles Rams. If Mixon's rehab extended into September, Pierce could be in the mix for first-team snaps Week 1 alongside Nick Chubb and rookie fourth-round pick Woody Marks. Neither running back has made impressive strides with the first-team offense, so a return could benefit Pierce more than anyone else. Initially viewed as a Texans' starting-caliber player, Pierce made headlines as a rookie after rushing for a career-high 939 yards and four touchdowns. Since then, he's been mundane at best, never rushing for more than 420 yards in a season. Pierce has also been a staple on special teams, averaging 37.7 yards per kickoff return for his career. Last season, he found the end zone twice on two breakaway runs of over 80 yards against the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans. The Texans will take on the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium this Saturday at 3 p.m. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Report: Texans RB Dameon Pierce activated to practice, clears physical
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Urged to Trade for Texans Running Back Ahead of 2025 Season
Cowboys Urged to Trade for Texans Running Back Ahead of 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - Last year, the Dallas Cowboys' leading rusher was Rico Dowdle. In what was a career season for the South Carolina Gamecock, Dowdle carried for 1,079 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Advertisement It was somewhat of a surprise success for Dowdle, who had never carried for more than 361 yards in a full season before. Dowdle will suit up for the Carolina Panthers next season after signing a one-year, $2.75 million deal in free agency. Aside from Dowdle last year, the Cowboys struggled in the run game, ranking No. 27 in the league with 1,705 yards and No. 30 with 4.0 yards per carry. With Dowdle now gone, Dallas is searching for answers. New Cowboys' head coach Brian Schottenheimer knows how important the rushing attack is in the NFL, and spoke of it at the Combine in February, saying, "At the end of the day, you have to be able to run the football. We've made a commitment that we want to be great on both sides of the line of scrimmage." Advertisement Dallas signed Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams in free agency, then drafted Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue in the fifth round this season. They're all either inexperienced or have lacked recent significant success in the league. That's why at least one writer is urging the Cowboys to acquire Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce via trade. "Some Cowboys fans may question if this move even makes sense for the Cowboys. With Sanders reportedly looking explosive in OTAs and minicamp, and Williams filling that bruiser role, Pierce wouldn't fit anywhere in the room," Joseph Grassano of wrote. "However, any reports on running backs during OTAs and minicamp must be taken with a grain of salt since they aren't wearing pads. It's possible that Sanders will continue to look good when training camp starts on July 22. "But there's also a real chance that when the pads come on, he looks like he did in Carolina. That is why the Cowboys should at least call about Pierce before training camp." Advertisement Pierce is still a young player at just 25. years old. Across three seasons with the Texans, the former Florida Gator has rushed for 1,648 yards and eight touchdowns, while averaging 4.1. yards per carry. It's possible he could find greater success behind a re-tooled Dallas offensive line and become the RB1 that some seem to think he could. In Houston, it's hard to believe he'll have the same opportunity behind two-time Pro Bowler Joe Mixon ... and now Houston has also signed Nick Chubb. That could make him available. But we're not sure it makes him desirable. If Pierce, who started there as a rookie, has what it takes to be an NFL first-stringer, why did the Texans bring in Chubb? Related: Cowboys Criticized For 'Too Long and Too Cheap' Approach At One Key Position Related: Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Is Underrated And Here's 3 Major Reasons Why This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Browns Running Back Nick Chubb Taking on Backup Duties With Texans
Former Browns Running Back Nick Chubb Taking on Backup Duties With Texans originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cleveland Browns ended the Nick Chubb era this offseason in a pivot that let fans know what they thought of the running back's prospects. Chubb will turn 30 in December, and he'll do so with an injury history that took away his 2023 season and made his 2024 campaign an underwhelming blip on the radar. Advertisement It wasn't a surprise that the Browns elected to let Chubb walk, nor was it a shock to see few teams line up to sign him. Ultimately, Chubb found a new home with the Houston Texans, who signed him to a one-year, $2.5 million deal on Monday. In Houston, he'll find newfound hopes of playoff football, his first franchise quarterback since the flashes of Baker Mayfield, and a second chance to prove he can still hang, regardless of his medical baggage. In gauging what to expect from the former Browns running back, it's best to start with his health. Chubb tore his knee up early in the 2023 season, demanding surgeries to repair his ACL, meniscus, and MCL. Upon his return in the middle of 2024, Chubb was middling, averaging 3.3 yards per attempt. His longest run went for 19 yards. Advertisement By December, he was hurt again, breaking his foot in Week 15. The veteran is currently slotted behind Joe Mixon on the Texans' depth chart. He'll have to look the part in the summer to stave off Dameon Pierce and fourth-round rookie Woody Marks. 'That's all behind me,' Chubb told reporters. 'Injuries happen, With what I did, it takes about two years to really get back. So, I'm over the hump. I'm back home, I was back home all offseason training where I trained every year since I was in high school. I was able to get a full year in of doing the things I do best. Now, I'm feeling as good as I have been in a long time.' If Chubb is healthy, there's likely a role for him in the backfield, particularly in short-yardage situations. Marks' draft capital and Pierce's 2024 struggles could extend that leash, and with enough potency, Chubb could eat into a real portion of Houston's carries as the second back on the roster. Advertisement That job isn't particularly secure. Between his own injuries, others' ascensions, and the chance that he performs as he did in 2024, Chubb may fall out of the rotation entirely, too. Simply put, Texans fans need to see what Chubb looks like this summer. He has elite vision, footwork, and contact balance helping to sustain his skill set, but his age and medicals are pressing concerns that may cost him the benefit of the doubt. Cleveland will not play Houston in the 2025 regular season, but Browns fans will be pulling for him wherever he plays. Related: Chubb Moves to Texans With Cheap 'Prove-It' Contract Related: Steelers Rival Waiting To Put Rodgers in 'Graveyard' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
