The worst things that any fantasy football manager can see is a surprise addition to the injury report. The latest star playmaker to suffer a setback and land on the injury report is Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce. He was apparently dinged up in Week 9 despite having his best rushing output of the season.
We have the latest injury update on Pierce and a breakdown of whether you should put him into your lineup if he’s active in Week 10.
Dameon Pierce Injury Update
The Texans marked Pierce as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday due to a chest and shoulder injury. This was a surprise as he destroyed the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football in Week 9, totaling 139 yards on 27 carries. He ran through the Eagles’ defenders as if he was Bo Jackson.
It’s possible Pierce suffered the injury since the game or even in practice Wednesday, so it’ll be important to monitor his participation levels as the week progresses.
As the RB10 and No. 38 overall player in our PPR fantasy football rankings, Pierce is a must-play when he’s healthy. He’s also the 14th-most productive back in PPR leagues, so our team ranks him right on par with his production throughout this season. It helps he’s about to face a defense that’s 31st in yards per carry allowed.
With 148 carries, 678 yards, and three touchdowns to go with 20 receptions, 98 yards, and one touchdown, Pierce is averaging 15.2 fantasy points per game. His 139 yards against the Eagles was an unexpected breakout on national television and only the second time he cracked the 100-yard mark. It was the first game Pierce failed to be targeted in the passing game.
The impressive part of Pierce’s rookie season is how he’s performing without a strong team around him. Quarterback Davis Mills hasn’t been able to take the next step in his developmental path, leaving the Texans floundering on offense when Pierce isn’t bruising through opponents. At 1-6-1, Pierce is really the lone bright spot of the offense.
MORE: Keenan Allen Injury Update Week 10
Outside of a dud performance in Week 8, where Pierce had 10 carries for 35 yards against a staunch Titans defense, Pierce has been brilliant. He’s totaled at least 80 yards in five of his last six games and has four total touchdowns. There’s little doubt in my mind he’ll win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and be fantasy football’s best value pick of the year.
Things look good for Pierce this week against the Giants. Though the Giants have allowed only five rushing scores on the year, they allow buckets of yards to backs. New York has given up the seventh-most yards per game on the ground and have been fortunate to not play as many run-heavy offenses or RBs who are threats to catch the ball out of the backfield.
I think Houston maximizes their advantages with Pierce and Rex Burkhead comparatively. Running backs are averaging only 2.1 receptions against the Giants, which is easily the fewest in the league. Look for that to be exploited this week.
There are only two reasons I could see Pierce not reaching RB1 status for Week 10. The first is his injury and how severe it is. The second is how difficult it’s been for Houston to score touchdowns, and that the Giants do well at stopping backs from entering the end zone. Otherwise, you can start Pierce with great confidence if he’s active.
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