Small details sometimes say a lot more than quotes and comments. On Saturday, Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans might have revealed part of his plan at running back.
Third-year RB Dameon Pierce didn’t play in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Most times, the final exhibition game is a last audition for those on the roster bubble.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t play either, nor did Tank Dell or any other key member of the reigning AFC South champions, who are widely expected to make a deep postseason run in 2024.
With the decision to sit Pierce, Ryans showed his cards regarding the running back’s fate: Pierce will either make the roster for Week 1 or be traded to a running back-needy team.
Dameon Pierce pic.twitter.com/rXxjAunBwb
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) June 9, 2023
But he won’t receive a pink slip before Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline. Pierce is going to be on an active roster next week.
“I didn’t play Dameon because I’ve seen enough from Dameon in practice and everything,” Ryans said of his decision Saturday. “I’ve had a good look at Dameon.”
Pierce, a fourth-round pick out of Florida in 2022, was expected to be. a foundational piece of Houston’s offense after a breakout rookie season. Had it not been for a foot injury, there’s a chance he would have been the first Texans running back since Carlos Hyde to break 1,000 yards after totaling 939 in the first 13 games.
Then came the firing of Pep Hamilton and the arrival of Bobby Slowik. A second-year slump ensued under the new zone-heavy run style. Pierce started the first nine games before trading places with Devin Singletary.
He averaged 2.9 yards per attempt and only found the end zone on a special teams touchdown.
The preseason wasn’t kind, either. Pierce played in two games and totaled 9 yards on eight carries. He also wasn’t a factor in the passing game like Cam Akers or Jawhar Jordan.
Why would the Texans hold on to a player who shows regression around every turn?
The Drive's @RealRonHughley thinks it's time for a change of scenery for Texans RB Dameon Pierce.
📶 More: https://t.co/QIGIL2WJhp pic.twitter.com/GQJox7CGo5
— SportsRadio 610 (@SportsRadio610) August 26, 2024
Starters rarely saw action in the preseason, playing just four total drives in two games. During that time, Tytus Howard missed a start against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Laremy Tunsil didn’t play at all as he was recovering from knee surgery.
It’s hard to gauge a player without a healthy offensive line. Even if injuries occur during the regular season, Pierce should have a chance to prove his value behind a healthy unit.
In practice, he has. During drills, the former Florida star has ripped off runs for multiple first-down gains with Tunsil opening creases. He also offers special teams upside as one of the Texans’ top returners.
Houston could trade Pierce for the right offer, thus benching him would have been wise to keep his value high. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys or Carolina Panthers need running back help.
For a Day 3 pick, Pierce would get a fresh start and the Texans would land a draft pick and open up roster spot. Jordan, a sixth-round pick out of Louisville, showed potential working with the second-team offense and would warrant a roster spot if it weren’t for Pierce.
RB Dameon Pierce is a player to keep an eye on via trade.
Now behind Joe Mixon and Cam Akers, can he be had for a 6th or a 7th round draft pick?
Went from 939 yards as a rookie to 416 in his sophomore year due to an offensive scheme change.Young player low risk high reward pic.twitter.com/59jqHHoZhx
— G from Jersey (@formula_g201) August 26, 2024
Cutting a player who’s been a Jeykll and Hyde between practice and gamedays doesn’t make sense. A potent OTA has kept Pierce on the coaches’ radar, while a struggling preseason might not translate to Sundays.
The Texans could cut ties with Pierce if he struggles at the season’s midway point. They could trade him at the deadline to free up cap space.
But Pierce is staying put for now. Houston still thinks his best is ahead. He’ll have to live up to the presumed potential.
“We just have to give him more opportunities,” Ryans said, “but we have to block it better up front so he does have the opportunities to make some plays in the running game.”
