Texans OC Nick Caley likes Dameon Pierce’s downhill style: ‘He’s a physical, violent runner’

HOUSTON – When Dameon Pierce was a rookie, his tackle-breaking, downhill, hard-nosed running style made him a standout.

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 for his epic display against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Now that Pierce is full-go after a lengthy convalescence from a strained quadriceps in the spring, he’s making his push for playing time.

Pierce and Nick Chubb have split snaps with the first-team offense while Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon remains on the non-football injury list with a foot injury. Mixon’s status for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams is up in the air.

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. Pierce’s return bolsters a thin backfield that’s been led by 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 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.

New offensive coordinator Nick Caley likes what he’s seeing from Pierce, whose reputation as a rugged runner preceded him.

“The expectation is just to be the best version of himself,” Caley said. “He’s a physical, violent runner on contact. I’ve had an appreciation for him since he came out of college.

“Not to press, not do anything outside of just being the best you can be, taking care of the football, pressing your tracks, knowing who you have in blitz pickup and starting from there. He’s shown what he can do when he gets opportunities to go out there and compete. So, I’m excited to get him back out there.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com