DAMEON PIERCE NEWS

Likely to miss another week Pierce (hamstring) isn't expected to play in Sunday's Week 5 game versus Buffalo, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Pierce hasn't played since Week 1, when he logged just nine offensive snaps and carried three times for 16 yards against Indianapolis. His return Sunday would be well-timed since Joe Mixon has been ruled out for a third straight week due to ankle injury, but it appears that Pierce won't be able to help buoy the Texans' running back corps. Cam Akers is likely to lead Houston's backfield again, with Dare Ogunbowale serving as his primary backup.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to miss another week Pierce (hamstring) is listed as questionable but isn't expected to play in Sunday's game versus Buffalo, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Pierce hasn't played since Week 1, when he logged just nine offensive snaps and carried three times for 16 yards against Indianapolis. His return Sunday would be well-timed since Joe Mixon has been ruled out for a third straight week due to ankle injury, but Pierce doesn't look as though he'll be able to help buoy the Texans' running back corps. Cam Akers is likely to lead Houston's backfield again, with Dare Ogunbowale serving as his primary backup. Official word on Pierce's status will arrive when the Texans release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice, questionable Pierce (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills after logging a limited practice Friday.

Impact Pierce practiced Friday for the first time since sustaining a strained hamstring, thus giving him a chance to bolster the Texans' Week 5 backfield depth, with Joe Mixon (ankle) still out. If Pierce does suit up this weekend, it remains to be seen how much work he'd be in line to see, with Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston having noted earlier Friday that Cam Akers has been preparing to start for the third consecutive contest.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

At practice Friday Pierce (hamstring) was present for Friday's practice, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Pierce didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but his appearance during the early stage of Friday's session offers hope that he could be available Sunday against the Bills. Meanwhile, fellow RB Joe Mixon (ankle) is trending toward not playing this weekend, so if Pierce ends up suiting up versus Buffalo, he'd bolster a Houston backfield that's been led by Cam Akers over the team's last two contests.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Misses another practice Pierce (hamstring) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Fellow RB Joe Mixon (ankle) was also not practicing for the second consecutive day, which clouds the duo's status as Sunday's game against the Bills approaches. If neither are available this weekend, Cam Akers would once again be line to lead Houston's backfield, with Dare Ogunbowale, British Brooks and practice squad member J.J. Taylor also in the mix versus Buffalo.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing yet Pierce (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Pierce was present at practice and wearing a jersey, but he didn't have his helmet and didn't end up participating. With Joe Mixon (ankle) also absent again, the Texans had Cam Akers, Dare Ogunbowale and J.J. Taylor taking backfield snaps, as was the case during Sunday's win over Jacksonville.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Pierce (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Impact Pierce, who didn't practice this week, is thus slated to miss his third straight game. Meanwhile, top back Joe Mixon (ankle) returned to a limited practice Friday and is questionable for the contest. Pierce's next chance to see game action will arrive Oct. 6 against the Bills.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Still not practicing Pierce (hamstring) wasn't present for the initial portion of Friday's practice, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact As a result, Pierce's status for Sunday's game against the Jaguars remains cloudy. On the plus side for the Texans, Joe Mixon (ankle) was on the field Friday, suggesting that he may be closer to a return to action than Pierce. Houston's upcoming injury report is thus slated to added further context with regard to the composition of the team's Week 4 backfield. In the absence of both Mixon and Pierce last weekend, Cam Akers drew the start at running back versus Minnesota.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Texans RBs Joe Mixon (ankle), Dameon Pierce (hamstring) sit out practice The Houston Texans are closing in on having to rely on Cam Akers at running back for a second straight week, as fellow running backs Joe Mix...

SEPTEMBER 27 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Making progress, still no practice Pierce (hamstring) is not practicing Thursday but the Texans are increasingly optimistic about his recovery progress, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Pierce hasn't yet been cleared to resume to practicing and has now missed two sessions this week, but Houston's coaching staff appears to be optimistic that the third-year pro will return to action soon. With Joe Mixon (ankle) also still sidelined, things could be trending toward Cam Akers getting another chance to start Sunday versus the Jaguars. Pierce will have one more chance to get on the practice field before receiving a game designation for Week 4.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Dameon Pierce Fantasy Football Value for Texans-Jaguars in Week 4 Daemon Pierece and Cam Akers will likely lead the Texans backfield in Week 4, giving fantasy football managers an interesting decision to ma...

SEPTEMBER 26 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Not at practice Pierce (hamstring) isn't practicing Wednesday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Neither is Joe Mixon, who missed a Week 3 loss at Minnesota with an ankle injury. Pierce sat out the past two games after injuring his hamstring during a Week 2 practice, and the continued absences put him in danger of missing a third straight game Saturday against Jacksonville. Cam Akers filled in as the starter and lead runner Week 3, but he didn't get any snaps on third downs or in the fourth quarter, with negative game script having a major impact on his workload.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Inactives: Texans without RBs Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce in Week 3 The Houston Texans released their inactives for their Week 3 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

SEPTEMBER 22 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

Texans RBs Joe Mixon doubtful, Dameon Pierce out vs. Vikings Houston Texans star Joe Mixon is doubtful with an ankle injury and fellow running back Dameon Pierce has been ruled out with a hamstring inj...

SEPTEMBER 20 • SACBEE.COM

Out again Week 3 Pierce (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Impact Pierce will miss a second consecutive game after failing to practice in any capacity during the week. With Joe Mixon (ankle) listed as doubtful, Cam Akers looks poised to lead Houston's backfield Sunday, with possible increased roles for Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Remains sidelined Thursday Pierce (hamstring) didn't participate in practice Thursday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle and Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston report.

Impact With both Pierce and Joe Mixon (ankle) poised to log back-to-back 'DNPs,' what (if anything) they are able to do Friday will be telling with regard to their chances of facing the Vikings on Sunday. In the event that both are unavailable this weekend, Cam Akers would be in line to lead the Texans' backfield versus Minnesota, according to Wilson.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Texans RBs Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce not practicing The Houston Texans’ top two running backs were sidelined for practice on Wednesday.Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) both miss...

SEPTEMBER 18 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Still not practicing Pierce (hamstring) is not participating in Wednesday's practice, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Pierce is dealing with a mild hamstring strain, per Wilson. The injury popped up during practice last Thursday, and since being limited in that session, Pierce has been listed as a non-participant since. With Joe Mixon (ankle) also not practicing and considered day-to-day, Pierce could see significant opportunity if he manages to get healthy in time for Sunday's road game against Minnesota.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Inactives: Juice Scruggs, Dameon Pierce out versus the Bears The Houston Texans released their inactives for their Week 2 Sunday Night Football matchup with the Chicago Bears. They'll be without starti...

SEPTEMBER 15 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

Won't play Sunday Pierce (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday night's game against the Bears.

Impact After missing Friday's practice, Pierce was deemed questionable for the Texans' Week 2 contest. With the running back unavailable versus Chicago, Dare Ogunbowale, Cam Akers and British Brooks are available to handle backfield snaps that don't go to top back Joe Mixon.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Officially questionable for Week 2 Pierce (hamstring) did not practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Impact Pierce missed Friday's practice after a hamstring issue restricted him to a limited session Thursday. His status may not be made official until roughly 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, but after he handled just three carries Week 1 compared to Joe Mixon's 30, Pierce is unlikely to be considered in most fantasy lineups even if active. Dare Ogunbowale, British Brooks and Cam Akers could handle expanded reserve roles Sunday if Pierce is ruled out.

SEPTEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Not spotted at Friday's practice Pierce (hamstring) is not present at the portion of Friday's practice open to the media, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Pierce popped up on the injury report Thursday as a limited practice participant, and it looks like he'll be downgraded to 'DNP' on Friday. That bodes poorly for the backup running back's chances of suiting up Sunday night versus the Bears. Joe Mixon is firmly entrenched as Houston's starter, but Dare Ogunbowale, British Brooks and Cam Akers will all be options to pick up depth snaps if Pierce can't go.

SEPTEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in practice Thursday Pierce (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact Pierce is a new addition to the injury report Thursday due to a hamstring issue. The extent of the backup running back's practice activity Friday will shed further light on his chances of playing Sunday night versus Chicago, as will his official injury designation for Week 2. Dare Ogunbowale, British Brooks and Cam Akers will be candidates for increased work behind starter Joe Mixon if Pierce misses any time.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Distant second on depth chart Pierce had three carries for 16 yards in Sunday's 29-27 win over the Colts in Week 1.

Impact There was little uncertainty that Pierce would back up Joe Mixon, but the snap counts were a little jarring. Mixon was on the field for 59 snaps compared to Pierce's nine, which was fewer than Dare Ogunbowale (13). Pierce and Mixon were the only running backs to carry the ball.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Needs better blocking Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said Thursday that the blocking in front of Pierce has contributed to his 1.1 yards per carry average during two preseason games, Aaron Wilson of KP...

Impact Pierce's adjustment to a new zone-based scheme was slow in 2023, but he's been comfortable with the new style during practice. Ryans reiterated the good work Pierce has done, but the results in game action have not been there. The coach indicated the back needs to get more opportunities carrying the ball, but with Joe Mixon projected to start, giving Pierce volume carries will be difficult. He may have a reduced role in the backfield, but the Texans feel he can contribute in the return game.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE