Fantasy News

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Struggles continue in return

  Rotowire Nov 26, 2023

  Pierce (ankle) rushed five times for 14 yards and caught his only target for four yards in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Jaguars. In his return from a three-week absence, Pierce finished with one fewer carry and four fewer rushing yards than Devin Singletary. While Singletary was hardly better on the ground, he contributed 54 receiving yards, which is almost double Pierce's season-high receiving total of 28 yards from back in Week 3. Pierce has just 341 rushing yards on 114 carries (3.0 YPC) and only one scrimmage touchdown in eight appearances heading into a Week 13 visit from the Broncos.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Appears set to return Sunday

  Rotowire Nov 25, 2023

  Pierce (ankle) is expected to play in Sunday's game versus Jacksonville, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Pierce has missed three straight games due to an ankle injury and came into this weekend deemed questionable to play, but he appears to have shown enough improvement to suit up against the Jaguars. That doesn't necessarily mean that he'll return to a lead-back role, however. In addition to Pierce potentially needing some time to settle back in following the injury and multi-week absence, Devin Singletary may have put himself in position to hold onto the starting job by racking up 262 rushing yards and two touchdowns over the past two weeks. Pierce had been struggling prior to going down with the injury, averaging just 3.0 yards on 109 rushes and scoring just once through seven games.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Returns to full practice

  Rotowire Nov 22, 2023

  Pierce (ankle) was a full practice participant Wednesday. Pierce missed a third straight game this past Sunday against the Cardinals, but he appeared to take a step forward leading up to that contest, as he was able to return to practice Friday as a limited participant. He's now opened Week 12 prep as a full participant, signaling that he's moved past the ankle issue and is on track to suit up Sunday against the Jaguars. Though Pierce has served as Houston's starting running back in each of his seven appearances this season and could take the first snap against Jacksonville, Pierce may be the starter in name only. According to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said Wednesday that he believes in "sharing the load" out of the backfield between Pierce and Devin Singletary, who served as the team's lead back over the past three weeks. Considering that Singletary averaged 5.0 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns on 52 totes over the past two games, any timeshare arrangement is seemingly more likely to tilt in his favor, given the extent to which Pierce struggled prior to missing time. Pierce has averaged just 3.0 yards per carry over seven appearances this season, ranking last in the NFL among all players with more than 60 carries.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Practicing again

  Rotowire Nov 22, 2023

  Pierce (ankle) is taking part in practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Pierce returned to practice last Friday as a limited participant before missing a third straight game in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. He's on track to be ready for an AFC South battle with Jacksonville on Sunday, though he probably won't be returning to a lead role after Devin Singletary put forth Houston's two best rushing performances of the season the past two weeks.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Won't play Sunday

  Rotowire Nov 17, 2023

  Pierce (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Pierce returned to a limited practice Friday, which offers hope he could return to action Week 12 against the Jaguars. However, now that he's been ruled out for Sunday's contest, Devin Singletary -- who's coming off a 150-yard rushing effort Week 10 -- once again is in line to lead the Texans backfield.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Back at practice

  Rotowire Nov 17, 2023

  Pierce (ankle) was present for Friday's practice, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Pierce didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but the running back's presence on the field Friday offers hope that he could potentially return to the mix Sunday against the Cardinals. The Texans' upcoming injury report will add further context to Pierce's Week 11 status, but if he's available versus Arizona, he could reenter the mix in a timeshare with Devin Singletary, who's coming off a 150-yard rushing effort Week 10.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Not at practice

  Rotowire Nov 15, 2023

  Pierce (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Another absence from practice suggests Pierce is in danger of missing a third straight game when the Texans face the Cardinals this Sunday. Even if Pierce demonstrates enough progress as the week goes along to play against Arizona, he may be returning to a smaller role than what he enjoyed previously. Devin Singletary erupted for 150 rushing yards in a 30-27 win over the Bengals this past Sunday, while Pierce has failed to exceed 81 rushing yards in any of his seven appearances this season and is averaging just 3.0 yards per carry.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Remains out for Week 10

  Rotowire Nov 10, 2023

  Pierce (ankle) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Bengals. Pierce was unable to practice in any fashion this week and will sit out a second straight game while he recovers from an ankle injury. Devin Singletary -- who played 74 percent of the Texans' snaps on offense but mustered just 26 yards on 13 carries and zero yards on two receptions in last week's 39-37 win over the Buccaneers -- is likely to get another turn as Houston's lead back in Pierce's stead.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Remains sidelined Friday

  Rotowire Nov 10, 2023

  Pierce (ankle) wasn't present for Friday's practice, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports. Pierce also missed practice Wednesday and Thursday and thus is trending toward missing Sunday's game against the Bengals. If Pierce is ruled out for the contest, Devin Singletary would once again serve as Houston's lead option out of the backfield in Week 10.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Remains sidelined Thursday

  Rotowire Nov 9, 2023

  Pierce (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Pierce also missed Wednesday's session, so what the running back is able to do Friday will be telling in terms of his chances of playing Sunday against the Bengals. If Pierce misses a second straight game this weekend, Devin Singletary would continue to serve as Houston's lead option out of the backfield.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Won't practice Wednesday

  Rotowire Nov 8, 2023

  Pierce (ankle) isn't in line to practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Pierce didn't practice last week before being ruled out for this past Sunday's 39-37 win over the Buccaneers. The running back now has two more chances to return to the field ahead of this weekend's game against the Bengals, but if he remains sidelined, Devin Singletary would once again be in line to handle the bulk of the Texans' backfield touches.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Not practicing again

  Rotowire Nov 2, 2023

  Pierce (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports. Two straight absences from practice to begin Week 9 prep have left Pierce's status uncertain for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. He'll likely need to practice in some fashion Friday to have a shot at playing this weekend, but if Pierce is sidelined Sunday, Devin Singletary would likely step in as the team's lead back. No. 3 back Mike Boone would also have an expanded role behind Singletary.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Dealing with ankle issue

  Rotowire Nov 1, 2023

  Pierce sat out practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Pierce's status for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers has yet to be determined, with head coach DeMeco Ryans telling Drew Dougherty of the Texans' official site that the team plans to "see where [Pierce] is as the week goes on." If Pierce ends up sitting out this weekend, Devin Singletary would be next in line for snaps and touches out of the Houston backfield.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Misses practice Wednesday

  Rotowire Nov 1, 2023

  Pierce didn't practice Wednesday, Drew Dougherty of the Texans' official site reports. The Texans will release their first Week 9 injury report later Wednesday, when a reason behind Pierce's absence will be known. At this stage of the week, head coach DeMeco Ryans was not yet willing to commit to the running back being available for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Devin Singletary and, to a lesser degree, Mike Boone, would be in line to see added backfield touches Week 9 if Pierce sits out or is available only in a limited capacity.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Modest numbers against Carolina

  Rotowire Oct 29, 2023

  Pierce carried the ball 12 times for 46 yards in Sunday's 15-13 loss to the Panthers. Despite a matchup with one of the league's weaker run defenses, Pierce failed to average at least 4.0 yards a carry for the seventh straight game this season. Devin Singletary saw an equivalent workload (10 carries and two receptions) and also did little with his opportunities, so the Houston backfield remains an unappealing mess from a fantasy perspective. Pierce will try to get something going in Week 9 against the Buccaneers.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Confident running game will improve

  Rotowire Oct 27, 2023

  Pierce said Friday that this season has been like another rookie year for him, but he currently feels "amazing" and believes the Texans are "really close" to establishing a successful running game, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Pierce doesn't exactly sound frustrated; he appears to be acknowledging that he's had a tough adjustment period under new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who has overseen a productive offense overall under the leadership of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The running back didn't mention being frustrated with his role or usage, though fantasy managers have some cause for concern after Devin Singletary received just one fewer carry than Pierce (13 to 12) in Houston's final game before its Week 7 bye. Pierce likely will remain the starter this Sunday at Carolina and anticipates the Texans having a much more efficient rushing game during the second half of the season. A healthier offensive line certainly should help, especially relative to September, when the Texans often had three or four of their five preferred starters out of the lineup.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: RBs to Start

  Rotowire Oct 25, 2023

  The last time we saw Pierce he had his worst game of the season in Week 6 against the Saints with 13 carries for 34 yards and no targets. He shared playing time with Devin Singletary, who actually played more snaps (34-21). There's a lot of risk involved with trusting Pierce, who has struggled all season with just two games above 9.2 PPR points and only one touchdown. But I'm hopeful that Pierce can take advantage of this matchup against Carolina coming off the bye. There have been seven running backs with at least 12.4 PPR points against the Panthers this season, and Carolina leads all teams with 13 total touchdowns allowed to running backs. I'm going to start Pierce as a No. 2 running back in all leagues, and I like Singletary as a sleeper.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: RBs to Sit

  Rotowire Oct 11, 2023

  Despite getting 21 total touches in Week 5 at Atlanta, Pierce only scored 9.2 PPR points with 66 rushing yards and one catch for 16 yards on one target. He still has just one touchdown this season and has scored 9.2 PPR points or less in three of five games. I hate this matchup for him in Week 6 against the Saints, who are No. 5 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and no running back has scored against New Orleans this year. Keep him reserved in most leagues if you can, but buy low now because his schedule lightens up following a bye in Week 7, starting with the Panthers in Week 8. Pierce will hopefully have a strong finish after a brutal start to his sophomore campaign.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Unable to repeat rookie production

  Rotowire Oct 11, 2023

  Pierce is averaging fewer yards after contact and per carry than he had as a rookie in 2022. Thus far in 2023, Pierce's numbers are down across the board. He's averaged 2.21 yards after contact (3.29 in 2022), per Pro Football Focus, and 2.9 yards per carry overall (4.3 in 2022). Pierce's outlook gets bleaker in the red zone, where he's been stopped for no gain or lost yards on eight of 12 carries (0.33 yards per carry). Some of his struggles can be chalked up to injuries along the offensive line, but Pierce's red-zone rushing didn't get any better Week 5 against Atlanta with Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard on the field together for the first time. As a team, the Texans' red-zone offense has scored touchdowns at a 35.3 percent rate, better than just two teams in the league. Pierce remains the lead back, but the coaching staff is examining ways to be better in the red area, which could involve more passing or using No. 2 back Devin Singletary more frequently.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Texans' Dameon Pierce: Eclipses 80 total yards in loss

  Rotowire Oct 8, 2023

  Pierce rushed 20 times for 66 yards and brought in his only target for 16 yards in the Texans' 21-19 loss to the Falcons on Sunday. Pierce once again toughed his way through an inefficient day, as even the return of two starting offensive linemen from injury for the Texans wasn't enough to open up sufficient running lanes for the second-year back. No running back other than Pierce logged a carry for Houston, the first time that's happened all season. Pierce therefore looks as secure as ever in his role as workhorse back heading into a Week 6 home matchup against the Saints.

  ... See More ... See Less