The NFL is a results-oriented league. Failure to produce will lead to a demotion.
Houston Texans third-year running back Dameon Pierce found that out the hard way amid a run to an AFC South title.
Pierce, Houston’s breakout rookie in 2022, is at a crossroads in his career between a reliable No. 2 runner and a depth piece that only finds the field due to injury. He’ll need a promising training camp to remain a fixture of Houston’s long-term plans as the franchise enters win-now mode behind Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud.
Poor production and an ankle sprain in Week 8’s loss against Carolina opened the door for Devin Singletary to leapfrog Pierce on the depth chart. He’s hoping to build off his success in Houston as Saquon Barkley’s replacement in New York.
Meanwhile, the Texans upgraded their ground game by trading for Pro Bowler Joe Mixon from Cincinnati. Fresh off his fourth 1,000-yard campaign, Mixon’s expected to be the bell cow back while Pierce competes for reps as the change-of-pace back.
Mixon, who turns 28 this month, might see his numbers dipped as his age rises. Even after signing a three-year extension this offseason, he joins the Texans with over 1,500 rushing attempts, so his best days could be in the past.
Even if Mixon plays through the contract, he could be relegated to a backup role with an underwhelming campaign, meaning Pierce’s production will factor into his future with Houston.
The Texans aren’t giving up on the former Florida product yet. Expectations were high entering last July after he rushed for 939 yards in four touchdowns in 13 games.
He was on pace to become the first Texans’ running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since Carlos Hyde before an ankle injury sidelined him for the final four games.
If the Texans get rookie Dameon Pierce the NFL better WATCH OUT. pic.twitter.com/FxtgiUKfiw
— Jacob (@Stroud4AllPro) June 28, 2024
Optimism only grew with the hiring of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who brought a variation of the San Francisco 49ers offense that enjoyed success for years under Kyle Shannahan.
Mike Shanahan, Kyle’s father and former Super Bowl-winning coach, also mentored Texans coach Gary Kubiak, who brought Houston to new heights with a successful ground spearheaded by Pro Bowler Arian Foster.
However, Houston couldn’t duplicate Foster’s success under Slowik’s similar offensive identity. The ground game was dreadful and lacked the explosiveness to create yards after contact. The Texans averaged 3.7 yards per rush, 28th among all teams. Their longest rush attempt was 24 yards, the shortest season-long run by any team.
According to Pro Football Focus, Pierce’s total and efficiency numbers cratered in Slowik’s zone-based offense. He finished dead last among qualified backs in yards per attempt with 2.9 yards per carry.
The most critical falloff came past the line of scrimmage. Pierce averaged 2.27 yards after contact, the fifth lowest among runners with at least 75 rush attempts. His 26 forced missed tackles were also last among runners.
Rumors began to circle in the offseason that Houston could shop Pierce to teams still believing in his rookie success. General manager Nick Caserio, however, shut down the notion by calling the running back a “big part” of the team’s future.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans echoed the same sentiment following OTAs.
“He has everything it takes to be a really good running back for us, and I think having him and Joe (Mixon) as a one-two punch will be very beneficial for us,” Ryans said.
Dameon Pierce getting in work with @3hunnidGuru 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Acy0SXOGK5
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) July 8, 2024
With little proven experience, Piece enters the season as a secondary option to help preserve Mixon’s legs.
Pierce will need a strong training camp, showing improvement in Slowik’s scheme. Pierce finished with 95 zone rushing attempts in the wide zone rushing attack compared to 55 gap scheme runs.
The run game is a point of offensive emphasis. Houston must be able to wear out the clock late in games. Stroud can’t always play hero ball like he did while helping Houston win a division title.
Teams swap players at the running back position more than any other spot. Without a productive 2024, Pierce may find himself elsewhere in 2025.
