Texans' Dameon Pierce: Joined in backfield by Mixon

Pierce looks slated to work as the backup to Joe Mixon, DJ Bien-Amie of ESPN reports.

Pierce will no longer have to compete with Devin Singletary, who won the starting job down the stretch in 2023 before leaving in free agency, but he now faces a stronger obstacle to touches in the form of Mixon, who had 257 carries for 1,034 yards and nine TDs last year and boasts a true three-down skillset. As a rookie in 2022, Pierce burst onto the scene with 939 rushing yards, but he disappointed in Year 2 with just 416 yards on the ground. The 2022 fourth-round pick could bounce back if he can better adjust to the running scheme introduced last offseason by offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, but the team could also add more competition to this backfield ahead of Week 1.