Dameon Pierce ($5,000; hamstring) has missed the last two games, but is expected to return for Week 4, while Joe Mixon ($6,800; ankle) remains week-to-week, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
With Mixon out this past week, Cam Akers ($5,300) got the start at running back for the Texans, while Dare Ogunbowale ($4,500) played behind Akers in a pass-catching role out of the backfield. Pierce sits ahead of both Akers and Ogunbowale on the Texans’ depth chart and could be the primary rusher for Houston if Mixon is out again. That being said, hamstring injuries are very tricky and it’s hard to imagine Pierce would see a large amount of touches if he’s anywhere less than 100%. Furthermore, there were rumors before the season started that Pierce was competing for a roster spot with the Texans. He is only averaging a modest 0.22 FPTS per snap over the last two seasons, while Akers has been more efficient with 0.35 FPTS per snap.
The Texans draw a strong matchup vs. the Jaguars this weekend — they are the eighth-worst graded defense on PFF — but Houston is likely to deploy a running back by committee approach if Mixon sits. Pierce, Akers and Ogunbowale will all see work. In result, none of these backs are fantasy viable starters unless you’re extremely desperate, especially Pierce, who is returning from a hamstring injury that has cost him back-to-back games.
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