Dameon Pierce reportedly is back on an NFL roster.
Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the running back kick returner has signed a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs after his exit from the Houston Texans earlier this week.
The Texans drafted Pierce in the fourth round out of Florida in 2022, and he had a strong start to his NFL career. As a rookie, he rushed for 939 yards and four touchdowns while adding 165 yards and a touchdown through the air, despite missing four games.
He didn’t play as big a role in his second season, but was still a contributor, picking up 416 yards and a pair of scores on the ground as well as 101 yards through the air. The 2023 season also saw him emerge as a returner, as he had 225 kick return yards and a touchdown.
The 2024 campaign saw his role decrease even more as he saw most of his action as a returner.
This year, Pierce had appeared in just four games for Houston, recording 26 rushing yards on 10 carries. With rookie running back Woody Marks and veterans Nick Chubb and Dare Ogunbowale getting most of the snaps, the running back room became a bit too crowded for Pierce, and Houston decided to move on from him.
While Pierce couldn’t make it work with the team that drafted him, he has the chance to contribute for the Chiefs as they look to make a push toward the playoffs.
Kareem Hunt will continue to get the majority of the touches after he recorded 30 carries for 104 yards in a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but Pierce could ultimately work his way into the No. 2 role in the running back room since Isiah Pacheco has missed the last four games with a knee injury.