Joe Mixon’s preseason injury thrust the Houston Texans’ backfield into uncertainty, adding to a work-in-progress offense’s list of imperfections. It opened the door for a handful of contributors to gain traction and earn a role, but veteran Dameon Pierce hasn’t been one of them.
Pierce has struggled to earn snaps, which resulted in the Texans parting ways with him ahead of their Week 12 game against the Buffalo Bills.
Why Did the Texans Waive Dameon Pierce?
When the Bills visit the Texans for Thursday Night Football, they’ll do so without having to game plan for Pierce. He’s been a non-factor for much of the season and was waived by Houston before the game.
Pierce was a healthy scratch in two of Houston’s last three games, sitting out against the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10, Pierce played but did not see any rush attempts, merely returning one kick for 22 yards.
This became a new trend for Pierce, who was active for just four games this season and hasn’t had a rush attempt since Week 5, when he ran seven times for 21 yards in a blowout win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Now that he is no longer with the Texans, Pierce could find an opportunity to play again on a different team.
#Texans roster moves before today’s game include waiving RB Dameon Pierce. pic.twitter.com/vdROApgAYK
— Patrick Creighton (@PCreighton1) November 20, 2025
The Texans have primarily relied on veteran Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks to anchor the backfield, though neither has delivered consistent production. Chubb ranks 37th in PFSN’s Running Back Impact metric, while Marks sits 40th among 43 qualifiers
However, both may be positioned for a rebound against Buffalo, particularly if the game remains competitive. Despite ranking 13th in PFSN’s Defense Impact metric, the Bills have surrendered the fourth-most rushing yards (1,530) and lead the league in rushing touchdowns allowed (17).
MORE: Joe Mixon Injury Update: NFL Insider Announces Devastating News on Texans RB
After receiving down-ballot Offensive Rookie of the Year votes in 2022, Pierce’s role steadily declined. He received 145 carries in 2023, 40 in 2024, and has just 10 carries through as many games in 2025.
Part of that can be chalked up to a lack of a standout trait. Chubb isn’t pretending to be a big-play threat, but his experience and toughness lend themselves to consistency. Marks, meanwhile, is more explosive and offers more than Pierce on passing downs, both as a blocker and receiver.
If Pierce wasn’t contributing on passing downs, giving the offense an avenue to chunk gains, or providing more than Chubb in short-yardage situations, there’s little reason to give him snaps. Rushing 10 times for 26 yards isn’t moving the needle, and he has yet to catch a pass this season.
Pierce was firmly a depth piece, and with Marks and Chubb ready to go, the Houston faithful will now see the 25-year-old running back on a new team.
