The 2025 season is considered make-or-break for veteran running back Dameon Pierce. The fourth-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract and did not do much last year to warrant faith from the coaching staff that he could be the RB2 behind Joe Mixon.
The Texans re-signed veteran Dare Ogunbowale to a one-year deal this offseason and then took a rookie (Woody Marks) in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
At the time of Ogunbowale’s return and the addition of Marks, Pierce’s spot on the 53-man roster was not exactly safe.
However, one way Pierce could silence the doubt around him is by having a good showing at OTAs and mandatory minicamp. But the veteran running back was a non-participant at both events due to an injury-related absence.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC-2, Pierce will be ready for training camp next month. While that’s good to hear, Pierce could have helped his case to make the team if he were able to participate in OTAs or minicamp, especially since Joe Mixon was sidelined.
Video: Sources: why #Texans plan to sign former #Browns Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, pending physical at Monday visit@YouTubeCreators https://t.co/djuAfmCf9m
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 8, 2025
Now, with the signing of Nick Chubb to a one-year deal last week during minicamp, one has to wonder if Pierce will make it through training camp and preseason with the Texans.
Houston has a jam-packed RB room that also includes Jawhar Jordan and J.J. Taylor, who were both signed to reserve/futures contracts in January. However, they won’t have a direct impact on Pierce’s standing.
As things currently stand, Mixon, Chubb, and Marks are likely locked in for the 53-man roster. If the Texans want to keep four running backs, it will come down to Ogunbowale and Pierce for that last spot.
Last season, the Texans featured Ogunbowale more on offense as he played 310 snaps, while Pierce only got 111 snaps.
The 25-year-old running back has seen his production and snaps decrease over the last two years since his rookie season, when he recorded 1,104 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns.
Pierce has struggled to come close to that mark again as the Texans had Mixon leading the charge in 2023 and saw Devin Singletary emerge as the top option in the backfield in 2022.
If Pierce can show up to training camp healthy and perform well, it might be enough to edge out Ogunbowale.
However, on the flip side, if the veteran running back isn’t making any strides, the Texans could look to trade Pierce for a Day 3 pick, so they don’t lose him for anything. It will be interesting to see how the RB battle shakes out, as Pierce could be on his way out the door.