DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
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Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans were already in the news entering Thursday due to their quarterback situation. However, they created more, announcing they were parting with running back and former draft pick Dameon Pierce.
The decision on Pierce was one of several transactions on the day as the Texans prepare to face the Buffalo Bills on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 12, and it was arguably the most noteworthy of the bunch for Houston on the day.
It remains to be seen what comes next in a once-promising career.
Texans Waive RB Dameon Pierce
Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans
GettyDameon Pierce #31 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Detroit Lions.
Pierce was the No. 107 overall pick of the 2022 draft, and he rushed for 939 yards and 4 touchdowns on 220 carries, all of which stand as career-highs for the former Florida Gators star. The Texans announced Pierce’s move last, but he was the only player involved in any of the transactions that the Texans drafted.
Still, his departure is not as surprising as the timing.
Pierce is in the final year of his four-year, $4.5 million rookie scale contract, and he was likely headed for free agency after the campaign, following months of trade speculation before the season.
That speculation continued leading up to this year’s trade deadline, even as the Texans looked for ways to upgrade their group.
In his career, Pierce has rushed 1,674 yards and 8 touchdowns on 415 totes, starting 20 of the 42 games he played in for the Texans. They have already turned their backfield over the Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks, also a fourth-round draft pick.
However, the Texans remain without intended starter Joe Mixon and could have to go the rest of the way with the status quo.
“It had become known that the Texans were going to move on from Dameon Pierce at some point,” The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander reported on X on November 20. So there was little incentive for a team to fork up draft capital when they knew there’d be a chance he’d become available.”
Texans Add Multiple DBs Before Bills Game
Damon Arnette, Houston Texans
GettyDamon Arnette #41 of the Houston Texans makes an interception against Jacolby George #80 of the Carolina Panthers.
The Texans shook up their defensive backfield ahead of Thursday’s tilt. They signed rookie undrafted free agency cornerback Ajani Carter to their 53-man roster from the practice squad. The Texans replaced him in the latter group with Damon Arnette.
Arnette has bounced between the Texans’ roster, practice squad, and free agency since he initially signed during the 2025 offseason.
Additionally, the Texans elevated safety Jalen Mills to the active roster for the game.
Mills is a veteran and Super Bowl champion. He has already played in two games this season, and he has been elevated once before. The Texans will need to sign him to their 53-man roster after one more elevation if they want to use him again.
Finally, the Texans also called up rookie UDFA linebacker Jackson Woodard. He bolsters a group that added former Dallas Cowboys draft pick Damone Clark off waivers this week.
Texans Close to Major Returns
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans celebrates a win against the Tennessee Titans.
The Texans are mostly healthy entering this contest. However, their two biggest injuries also happen to be to two vital players. C.J. Stroud and Jalen Pitre are both missing their third games with concussions suffered in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos.
A win on “Thursday Night Football” over the Bills would boost the Texans’ postseason odds.
Moreover, it would give them additional momentum at a key time. Stroud and Pitre are expected back in Week 13 against the Indianapolis Colts.