Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans
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Dameon Pierce #31 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Detroit Lions.
The Houston Texans have already been forced to shuffle their roster around ahead of their “Monday Night Football” tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and that continued with their list of inactives, with the Texans ruling out 2022 fourth-round draft pick Dameon Pierce.
Pierce is a healthy scratch who has been mired in trade rumors. He rushed three times for 5 yards in the Texans’ season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
The decision is surprising after Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans commended Pierce.
Texans Make Dameon Pierce Inactive After DeMeco Ryans’ Comments
DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans runs into the locker room at halftime against the Carolina Panthers.
The Texans are without starting RB Joe Mixon, and they plan to lean on veteran Nick Chubb as they did in the opener. Ryans cited getting Pierce and fellow backup, rookie fourth-round pick Woody Marks, touches.
However, Ryans also spoke about leaning on Chubb. With Marks around, though, it appears the Texans were not anticipating enough of a workload for Pierce, too.
“I think Chubb ran the ball really well. We tried to mix it up with the backs. Got Woody [Marks] some touches, Dameon [Pierce]. We’re going to try to lean in with Chubb a little bit more. I think he deserves it. He’s shown that. He continued to get better as the game went on. You saw him running stronger, finishing plays in a physical manner,” Ryans said on “Texans All-Access” on September 9.
“We got to get him going a little bit more, right? And I think he can he can really help us.”
The Texans made some other moves in the backfield, but this one certainly stands out ahead of their “Monday Night Football” showdown against the Buccaneers.
‘German Tank’ Bolsters Texans at 2 Positions
Jakob Johnson, Houston Texans
GettyJakob Johnson #45 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Texans also announced the elevation of practice squad fullback Jakob Johnson, posting “We have elevated Jakob Johnson via standard practice squad elevation,” on X on September 15.
Johnson is in his first season with the Texans.
An undrafted free agent out of Tennessee in 2018, he began his career with the New England Patriots and has spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants.
“#Texans elevate veteran fullback Jakob Johnson for second week in a row, going with two tight ends on active: Dalton Schultz, Harrison Bryant,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson posted on X on September 15.
“Johnson, who has one more elevation left, can also play tight end.”
The Texans cut Johnson at the deadline to end the preseason, but that was always expected to be a minor hurdle.
“When the Texans released Johnson and signed him to the practice squad, they did so with the understanding he would be elevated for games,” Wilson wrote on September 15. “Signing with the Texans reunited him with former New England Patriots tight ends and fullbacks coach Nick Caley, the Texans’ new offensive coordinator.”
Caley has praised Johnson’s physicality, dubbing the native of Germany the “German Tank.”
The Texans will have fullback British Brooks available, too, which likely speaks to how they plan to use Johnson.
Buccaneers Inactives Include 2 Super Bowl Champions
Baker Mayfield, Houston Texans
GettyBaker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Texans are catching the Buccaneers at the right time. Tampa Bay starting left tackle Tristan Wirfs and wide receiver Chris Godwin, both members of their 2020 Super Bowl team, are sidelined with injuries.
Young playmakers Devin Culp at tight end and wide receiver Tez Johnson are also out.
The Buccaneers feature a pair of Texas natives in quarterback Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans at WR, though. Moreover, both are capable of putting on a show against the Texans on Monday night.