Though his performance on Sunday was wildly inefficient, rookie running back Dameon Pierce set the fifth-highest mark for rushing yards in a player’s first 10 games in the Houston Texans’ franchise history. The record comes after a 23-10 loss at the hands of the Washington Commanders, who wholly dismantled the Texans in Week 11 action.
Pierce was Houston’s second-leading rusher with just eight yards on 10 carries in the game behind Davis Mills, who managed 10 rushing yards while running for his life against Washington’s pass rush. Obviously, this was not an ideal outcome for the Texans, who are still in search of their second win of the season, and if this game was any indication, they might not be able to rely on Pierce the way that they have in previous weeks as they trudge through the last seven matchups on their schedule.
Despite his struggle against the Commanders, fans shouldn’t place too much blame on Pierce, who has had a sensational season in the face of critical adversity as a rookie on the NFL’s worst team. It seems that Pierce could rush for 200 yards a game and still not make enough of a difference to deliver Houston from the abysmal results that are positioning them for another first-overall draft pick in April.
For now, Pierce’s record-setting performances, whether they help the Texans win or not, will serve as the only bright spots in Houston’s season while the team flounders every week until their season comes to a merciful end. His resolve in becoming one of the only players on the team who is worth tuning in to watch has been commendable, though most fans would prefer wins over statistical milestones.
Until the Texans find a viable starting quarterback, though, Pierce’s success will likely be the team’s only saving grace as they continue the rebuilding process.
