Dameon Pierce has been the one good thing going for the Houston Texans offense.
The rookie has generated 939 rushing yards and five total touchdowns — four on the ground and one catch. Both categories lead the 1-11-1 Texans in 2022.
Houston was without the fourth-rounder’s services for most of the fourth quarter in the 27-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington in Week 14. The marked drive that will standout to Houston fans is the second-to-last possession of the game when the Texans couldn’t punch it in on a drive starting first-and-goal from the Cowboys’ 4-yard line with 5:37 left in the game and Houston leading 23-20.
Pierce left the game with an ankle injury, carrying 22 times for 78 yards. The rest of Houston’s running backs combined for five carries for minus-5 yards.
With the Florida product leaving the stadium in a walking boot Sunday, there are concerns as to whether he will be ready to go against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15.
If Pierce can’t go, right tackle Tytus Howard is confident in the run game’s ability to produce with the rookie out of the lineup.
“I think the running game still should be good,” Howard told reporters Tuesday. “Everybody knows Dameon is a good player, but we believe in Rex (Burkhead) and Dare (Ogunbowale). They can pick up the slack and do good for the run game.”
Burkhead had two carries for minus-3 yards and has 26 carries for 80 yards on the year.
Ogunbowale had a carry for minus-3 yards and has eight carries for 27 yards and a touchdown on the season.
Nevertheless Howard remains confident in the run game, especially if the offensive line can clear space.
Said Howard: “At the end of the day, we block the guys up front. We know those guys can make the plays. That’s where it starts at.”
Houston kicks off against the Chiefs at 12:00 p.m. Central Time from NRG Stadium Sunday.
