TEXANS TAKEAWAYS
How Houston Texans could be witnessing a turning of the tide at key position
Aug 15, 2022, 11:19 am
Dameon Pierce was a bright spot for the Texans on Saturday. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.
The Houston Texans played a football game for the first time since January on Saturday, and while it was only the preseason, there were some things that should create a sense of optimism for fans.
One of those groups is none other than the running back position, which is unfamiliar territory for Texans fans to have any hope about that unit.
Since the turn of the new decade, the running back group has been abysmal for Houston, ranking among the bottom in the NFL, including 31st in 2020 and 32nd in 2021. Entering into the 2022 season, it seems like the tide has begun to shift, and that is due to rookie running back Dameon Pierce, who impressed in his first outing ever in a Houston uniform.
Pierce garnered some attention with his 49-yard rushing performance, including a 20-yard run in the second quarter. The fourth-round pick out of Florida looked like he was gliding in between the land of giants at times as he shifted through his own offensive linemen and opposing defenders.
He also displayed his ability to get to the edge and turn the corner on the outside as well, something that not many Houston backs have been able to do over the last few seasons.
Really impressive pre-season debut for Texans rookie, Dameon Pierce (@IRep229):
š5 carries
š49 yards
š9.8 YPC pic.twitter.com/bqlQaIfHe2
ā Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) A ugust 14, 2022
Now it is early, and after one preseason game, there should be no reason to crown Pierce the second coming of Arian Foster. But the reason Houston fans should have optimism when it comes to the running backs is because of the potential Pierce has shown.
In 2021, Houstonās best running back for most of the season was Mark Ingram, and he spent half of the year with, coincidentally, the New Orleans Saints.
Running back Rex Burkhead took charge towards the tail end of the season, and finished as the teamās leading rusher with only 427 yards for the entire campaign. Pierce got roughly one-eighth of that in limited action against the Saints.
Running back Marlon Mack started the game for Houston. While he only finished with a lackluster six yards on three carries, it is also worth noting that starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil, starting center Justin Britt and guard Kenyon Green all did not play for the Texans against the Saints.
Burkhead is still on the roster. He also did not play against New Orleans, but going back to 2021, he proved that he still has the capability to make an impact on games in spurts.
With both Mack and Burkhead good veterans to help Pierceās development throughout his rookie season, and the small sample the young back has put on film, there is reason to be enthusiastic about Houstonās running back group for 2022.
After all, the bar has been set pretty low following the past two seasons. The silver lining about hitting rock bottom is that eventually you can only go up.
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NFL insiders hint at eye-opening future for Houston Texans offense
Dec 7, 2024, 2:38 pm
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
āWhen he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,ā coach DeMeco Ryans said. āI am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.ā
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the teamās third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans arenāt worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
āHeās made a lot of progress,ā general manager Nick Caserio said. āThere are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy heās our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldnāt want anyone else leading this team.ā
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixonās contributions on and off the field.
āHeās a servant, a helper,ā Stroud said. āThatās ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? Thatās ultimately what the game of football is.ā
While Mixon has been the teamās most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houstonās new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10Ā½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last yearās AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9Ā½ sacks.
Ryans said this weekās break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
āItās here and weāre going to take advantage of it,ā he said. āWeāve been going at it for a long time.ā
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
āItās Christmas and all that, but we canāt worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,ā Caserio said. āAnd then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... Weāre either going to earn it or weāre not. Not to oversimplify it, but thatās the truth.ā
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonvilleās Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houstonās regular-season finale against Tennessee.