Texans' 2024 Make Or Break Player: Dameon Pierce (NFL)
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Texans' 2024 Make Or Break Player: Dameon Pierce

Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
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Houston Texans third-year running back Dameon Pierce is entering a critical make-or-break campaign in 2024. It’s been a rollercoaster of a career for Pierce, who endured an extremely disappointing sophomore season in 2023. It’s now truly sink or swim for his tenure as a Texan.

Pierce was one of the few bright spots on a lackluster 2023 Texans offense that ranked bottom three in both yards and points. The former Florida standout captured a top-20 finish among all running backs by rushing for 939 yards. Pro Football Focus' charting credited Pierce with leading the league with a 28% missed forced tackle rate.

It's difficult to make sense of what happened in year two. It seemed likely that Pierce would experience a 1,000-yard-plus campaign as Houston's bellcow. That thought didn't come to fruition under a new coaching staff that featured DeMeco Ryans as head coach and Bobby Slowik as offensive coordinator.

Pierce's season ended prematurely due to an ankle injury, but he was a borderline non-factor well before that. Pierce averaged 3.8 yards per carry or less in every single game, finishing with a season-long average of 2.9 while failing to produce a single 100-yard rushing performance. He was severely outplayed by veteran back Devin Singletary, who out-touched him 246-158. Pearce rushed for 523 fewer yards (416) than his rookie-year output of 939.

Pierce was a poor fit in Slowik's wide-zone offense and routinely landed in Ryans' doghouse. Singletary capitalized on his career-best season by signing a lucrative contract with the New York Giants earlier this offseason, but the Texans made other arrangements at the position. They were not willing to trust Pierce, who’s more of a power between-the-tackles runner, in a starring role.

The Texans acquired Pro Bowl veteran back Joe Mixon via trade with the Cincinnati Bengals. They then signed Mixon to a three-year, $27 million contract extension through the 2026 season. He projects as a three-down back who shouldn't come off the field much. Houston also doubled down at running back by utilizing a sixth-round pick on former Louisville running back Jawhar Jordan. Pierce will have to earn every rep.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio made five top-75 picks in 2022 and several of those players are entering make-or-break seasons in addition to Pierce. None have been more disappointing than interior offensive lineman Kenyon Green (No. 15 overall) who missed his entire sophomore season with injury after struggling mightily as a rookie.

Elsewhere, No. 44 overall pick John Metchie III recorded just 16 catches for 158 yards this past season, though his leash is longer after missing his entire rookie campaign with a cancer diagnosis he's thankfully since overcome. Third-round sophomore linebacker Christian Harris was a liability in the run game with a PFF run-stopping grade of 48.1.

Pierce must regain the trust of Ryans and Slowik if he's to enjoy a more productive third campaign. Opportunities will be difficult to come by behind Mixon, and Jordan will be lurking as well. Pierce's path to redemption must begin via impressive training camp and preseason periods.



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