Texans RB Dameon Pierce: C.J. Stroud’s Rookie 'Blessing'
The Houston Texans may very well be on the rise in the AFC South.
Starting with a highly productive draft headlined by C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., Houston set the tone for its offseason early, which has garnered them high praise across the league heading into coach DeMeco Ryans' first year.
The Texans look to have a much-improved team around those headline rookies as well, armed with a fresh coaching staff, and a few key veteran additions. It has quickly become one of the league's "new look, new feel" squads, and second-year running back Dameon Pierce is a big part of that.
While he isn't a new face, paired with veteran Devin Singletary, Pierce will get a chance to shine beside a veteran back, while also learning from him, and taking a step forward in Year 2.
The latter, especially, will likely be a big reason for Pierce's improvement, though the talent and work ethic he has already shown has earned him the respect of his new quarterback.
"It's a blessing to have someone like D.P.," Stroud said at the Texans' OTA's. "He's somebody who's not only going to have your back running the ball, but he'll pass protect, [too]."
Last season, Pierce finished with 939 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and already has the 1,000-yard mark in his sights next season, making him a strong breakout candidate.
"I'm just ready to work," Pierce said. "[I'm] on a good team, and we've got pieces that we're building around. I love the energy. I just have to make sure that I'm position to do whatever coach [DeMeco] asks."
Pierce's strong work ethic is also setting him up to be a leader on the field — which he's already shown to Stroud — and that may be his biggest upside on a Texans squad focused on player improvement.
He'll just have to continue to show it.
"When you see guys improve, that's what fires me up," Ryans said at the Texans OTAs. "I'm excited to get out on the field because now we're getting closer to real football. ... [That's where] you have to line up and compete, so [it's about] who's going to step up and when."
The Texans begin their 2023-24 campaign on the road against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 10.
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