WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. – Texans backup running back Dameon Pierce has maintained his patience since straining his quadriceps during the spring.
Now, Pierce’s lengthy rehabilitation has finally reached its conclusion after passing his physical and being activated from the active-physically unable to perform list.
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Over the past two weeks, Pierce regained his mobility and range of motion while working out on the side with trainers.
A former fourth-round draft pick and Pro Bowl alternate from the University of Florida, Pierce is a power runner with some breakaway speed who doubles as a dangerous kickoff returner. With Joe Mixon still on the non-football injury list with an ankle-foot injury and making progress as he tries to get back in time for a season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams, Pierce’s return bolsters a think backfield that’s been led by Nick Chubb.
Pierce rushed for 293 yards and two touchdowns as the primary backup to Mixon last season. He has rushed for 1,648 career yards and eight touchdowns. He rushed for a career-high 939 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie starter and was honored with the NFL’s Angry Run of the Year award.
He averaged 37.7 yards per kickoff return with a long return of 80 yards. He had a 98-yard return for a touchdown three years ago.
Pierce moved well during a session at The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center with trainers alongside linebacker Christian Harris, who remains out with a lingering strained calf that kept him out for the majority of last season and the entire offseason schedule of practices.
Cam Robinson dinged
Starting left tackle Cam Robinson left practice after getting hurt at the start of the workout at The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center.
Robinson walked off under his own power and went inside to be examined. The lower leg injury is not regarded as a long-term issue or serious, per league sources.
When Robinson left practice, his absence triggered a line shuffle.
The Texans moved rookie right tackle Aireontae Ersery to left tackle and right guard Tytus Howard to right tackle as Juice Scruggs stepped in for Howard at right guard while Ed Ingram worked in behind him. Scruggs is a valuable backup as he’s capable of playing all three interior positions: left guard, center and right guard.
Not having Robinson during the season would be an issue, but the Texans may just have to play without him during training camp for an undetermined amount of time.
As #Texans trainers examine left tackle Cam Robinson, his exit triggered line shuffle of Aireontae Ersery stepping in for him at LT, then Tytus Howard to RT from RG and Juice Scruggs subbed in at guard, same C Jake Andrews, LG Laken Tomlinson @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/lH1ZAEa0cC
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 4, 2025
The Texans continue to have issues in pass protection, including defensive end Will Anderson Jr. recording a sack early in practice. Howard, though, did stonewall Anderson on another play as he blocked the star pass rusher to the ground.
The injury, even if it turns out to be minor, shined a spotlight on the Texans’ depth and backup plans.
“As you see with our offensive line, you’ll see different guys in different spots,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “You’ve seen that throughout training camp. No different, no extra news to report or anything about it today. It’s just our guys are moving around just like they’ve done kind of all camp.”
Howard has a lot of versatility. The former first-round draft pick has adapted well to his new right guard position after previously starting at left guard, right tackle and left tackle. He has played every offensive line spot except center.
”Tytus has shown the ability to play outside of tackle and he’s played at guard all his career,“ Ryans said. ”So, he’s moved around a lot. He’s flexible to be able to do that. I remember we were in a pinch a couple years ago, Tytus bumped inside and there’s no issue.
“Tytus is an unselfish player that does whatever we’re asked to do. That’s what I like about him. It always helps when you have the ability to do both, and he’s done a good job at both tackle and guard. So, wherever he ends up, I know Tytus is going to bring his best and he’s going to help our line to be better this year.”
Another rough day for offense
The philosophical approach about the Texans’ sputtering offense represents a bigger picture, glass half full optimism about an overhauled group.
Yes, there’s a new offensive coordinator with fresh ideas in Nick Caley.
Yes, the receiving corps has talent with Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
No, the flurries of interceptions and sacks allowed haven’t stopped. Not during the Texans’ first day of practices at
Is it a case of the offense not being quite there yet as they get up to speed with a new playbook? Is the defense just that dominant?
Perhaps, the truth is a heavy dose of both realities.
The Texans have had issues throughout training camp blocking Anderson and Danielle Hunter, who are arguably the top pass rushing tandem in the league.
Veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson intercepted quarterback C.J. Stroud and returned it for a pick-six that he celebrated in the end zone with a rendition of the old-school Cabbage Patch dance.
Middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair intercepted Stroud, a former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, during a red zone drill.
And linebacker E.J. Speed had an acrobatic interception of backup quarterback Davis Mills.
It was a rough day for Stroud, one of his most difficult practices since the start of camp.
“Our defense throughout training camp, they’re competitive, they’re edgy, they play together and I see a really good unit gelling together defensively,” said Ryans, a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker. “They’re making a lot of plays and they’re playing with enthusiasm as well. Not only just the enthusiasm, but they’re really executing very well and credit to those guys really putting in the work with their coaches to be in on the details. They’re doing an outstanding job.”
The Texans offense regressed last season, leading to the firing of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and hiring Caley to fix a stagnant attack.
Pass protection was the primary issue last season, and offensive line coach Chris Strausser was fired and replaced by Cole Popovich, who was also named run game coordinator.
Is the offense getting better? It’s really hard to know, but Ryans said he believes in the oft-scrutinized group.
“In the same vein, our offense is getting better,” Ryans said. “I talk about it all the time. I’m not just throwing out a term, but when I talk about iron sharpening iron, if everybody brings their best every single day, we will all get better. We’re still one team. We’re going to go out and compete against another team. We are making each other better here.
“Our offense is making our defense better, defense is making our offense better. That’s what training camp is all about. So, I’m very excited to see where our guys are. Really, I’m excited to see them go play against someone else.”
Brinkman off to good start
The Texans like what they’ve seen from rookie long snapper Austin Brinkman, the replacement for former Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Weeks.
Weeks signed with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, ending a golden era as the longest-tenured player in franchise history.
The Texans signed Brinkman, a standout at the collegiate level for five years and an academic All-Big 12 Conference selection as a reliable special-teams fixture for the West Virginia Mountaineer, to take over for Weeks.
Brinkman’s three-year rookie deal includes $110,000 guaranteed.
“We’re excited to have Brinkman,” Ryans said. “Anytime you have a rookie at the long snapper position, there’s some growing pains that comes with that. But Brinkman has the temperament, he has the skill set to step in and do a great job. First things first is to have great snaps and that’s what he’s done. He’s been very consistent with his snaps.
“So, really pleased with Brinkman. I’m excited to see him get some action in the game so he can knock the rust off a little bit. It’s a little different when the games come, but I think he’ll do a really good job for us.”
Texans see a lot of value being in West Virginia
For the Texans as an organization, being in West Virginia is a time and resources commitment they deem extremely valuable.
That’s because the week here provides an opportunity for players to bond along with a respite from the muggy Houston weather. Temperatures at The Greenbrier, which is also scenic with mountains surrounding the area and has a first-class training facility, have been 70 degrees. The air is fresh and the hotel is extremely nice with 20 restaurants.
“The main goal is for our guys to come up and really focus on football,” Ryans said. “I think being in Houston, at times, we really have to be conscious of the weather. You’re trying to make sure guys are hydrated, making sure guys are… At some times you’re just surviving practice. Here we’re not worried about those elements, and we’re worried about thriving, actually getting better at technique in football and that’s all you have to focus on. The heat isn’t an issue. So, my goal is to come here, and can we be dialed in, and can we see great improvement in our execution from not having to worry about the heat?”
This marks the Texans’ third trip to The Greenbrier in franchise history.
They were here previously under former coach Bill O’Brien in 2017 and 2018.
“Being here, it’s awesome,” Ryans said. “This is a beautiful place. To come here, to get great weather and for our guys to be able to work. Everything is very convenient where we are with the performance center here, fields right here. It’s been outstanding.
“The people here at The Greenbrier have been unbelievably nice, kind to us and so far, the first day has been great and it’ll continue to go that way. Our team has done an unbelievable job of just being prepared. Even though we’re away here in West Virginia, it feels like we’re at home because we have everything that we need.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com