Pierce leads backfield in Week 2

Texans RB Dameon Pierce went from trailing Rex Burkhead in Week 1 opportunities to a big lead in Sunday's loss to the Broncos. The rookie handled all 15 of Houston's RB carries, gaining 69 yards (4.6 per rush). He added an 8-yard catch on his only target. Burkhead still beat Pierce 3-2 in targets, catching 2 for 9 yards. But Pierce ran just 4 fewer routes than Burkhead against Denver. That gap proved wider in Week 1, with Burkhead running a route on 60% of drop backs vs. just 12% for Pierce.

The Texans placed RB Dameon Pierce on IR with his ankle injury, ending his 2022 season. Pierce had an impressive rookie season, running for 939 yards on 4.3 yards per carry in a bad Houston offense. He currently ranks 8th in Pro Football Focus rushing grade and 3rd in Elusive Rating among 39 RBs with 100+ carries. It's enough to make Pierce the favorite to lead this backfield in 2023, but we'll see what the Texans do at the position this offseason. The Texans promoted RB Royce Freeman from the practice squad on Saturday. He joins Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale in the backfield for Sunday's game vs. the Chiefs.

Texans RB Dameon Pierce (ankle) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Chiefs. RBs Dare Ogunbowale and Rex Burkhead are on the active roster, with RBs Royce Freeman and Gerrid Doaks on the practice squad. We’ll see if Houston makes an elevation on Saturday, but you should try to avoid this backfield in fantasy lineups.

Texans RB Dameon Pierce (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. He's expected to miss at least this weekend's game vs. the Chiefs, leaving Houston's backfield to some combination of Dare Ogunbowale, Rex Burkhead, Royce Freeman and Gerrid Doaks.

Texans RB Dameon Pierce is expected to miss "at least" 1 game with a "relatively mild high-ankle sprain," a source tells insider Aaron Wilson. It sounds like Pierce could end up missing a couple of games but is expected back this season. Houston released RB Eno Benjamin on Tuesday, leaving Dare Ogunbowale and Rex Burkhead as the healthy RBs on the active roster. RB Royce Freeman is on the practice squad. Hopefully you don't need to mess with this situation in Week 15 fantasy lineups.

Texans RB Dameon Pierce ran for 78 yards and a TD on 22 carries in Sunday's surprisingly narrow loss to the Cowboys. He didn't draw a single target, which is alarming for his viability going forward. Pierce shared pass routes to Dare Ogunbowale (who led the team in that category), Eno Benjamin and Rex Burkhead. Pierce did leave in the 4th quarter with an ankle injury. Week 15 holds a neutral RB-scoring matchup with the Chiefs, if he's ready.