After narrowly missing the 1,000-yard mark last season, Houston Texans’ running back Dameon Pierce is setting his sights on achieving that milestone in the upcoming season.
Pierce expressed his determination, stating, “The expectation is to cap 1,000 yards… That’s a goal I have for myself. That’s what I expect from me. [Bobby] Slowik expects that. Everybody around me expects that, and I’m gonna try everything in my power to get that.”
During the 2022 season, Pierce emerged as a shining star despite the struggles of the Texans’ offense, which ranked 30th in points per game (17). Unfortunately, an ankle injury in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys cut short his rookie season.
Before the injury, Pierce showcased his talent, ranking seventh in rushing yards (939), 16th in scrimmage yards (1,104), second in broken tackles (27), and fourth in rushing yards after contact (506).
New head coach, DeMeco Ryans, acknowledges the pivotal role Pierce plays in the Texans’ offensive strategy, stating, “For us to be a good offense, we have to have Dameon at his A-game. Dameon has been having a great offseason from OTAs to even now. He looks great and in shape. Every time he touches the ball, you see the speed and physicality.”
The success of Pierce’s performance also relies on the offensive line’s performance. The Texans have invested significantly in their offensive line, extending contracts for key players like left tackle Laremy Tunsil, right guard Shaq Mason, and right tackle Tytus Howard.
The offensive line shares an unwavering belief in Pierce’s abilities and work ethic. Right, tackle Tytus Howard praises Pierce, saying, “We love Dameon, man. He’s the most energetic guy on the team. We love blocking for him. We know that all we got to do is get our hats on, guys, and he’s going to handle the rest… He’s one of those backs that can do it all. So we’re hoping to get him to be one of the best running backs in the league, and we know he can do that.”
With the support of his teammates and a reinforced offensive line, Dameon Pierce is eager to prove himself as one of the top running backs in the NFL, and the Houston Texans are anxious to witness his pursuit of the 1,000-yard rushing goal in the upcoming season.
