DETROIT – Dameon Pierce shed the rust he accumulated during a lengthy recovery from a strained quadriceps that tried his patience.
Pierce initially though he would be ready for the start of training camp, but the bruising Texans running back and kickoff returner had a setback.
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When he got to carry the football seven times in a preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, it was gratifying to simply play the game again.
“It was a long one, bro,” Pierce said after his first game since last season and rushing for 17 yards on seven carries. “It’s really a couple weeks ahead of schedule, which is a blessing. Mentally, just staying steady. Get back in the groove, man. This ain’t nothing.
“It’s a blessing to be out there, kind of upset that it’s so late. We were taking our time with the rehab process. Make sure I stay healthy. Make sure everything is taken care of. Don’t let it bite you later. I feel ready to go."
During his convalescence, Pierce trained along linebacker Christian Harris. Harris was recovering from a strained calf. Both players encouraged each other. The moral support helped.
“I kind of had him to lean on,” Pierce said. “We both help each other, like, keeping each other high, keeping our energy high. It was great to get back there.”
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.
“I’m glad I was able to get a preseason game in and a little joint practice time, live reps, game speed, actually going to the ground,” Pierce said. “Big difference between thud and full tackle.”
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 thin backfield that’s been led by Nick Chubb.
“The idea behind playing Pierce was allow him to just get some real touches, get some real live action,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “So, we gave him the ball a few times, thought he did a really nice job. This first time back is always difficult when you come back off of injury. Especially that position, like hitting the ground, getting back up again, knowing that everything is OK.
“I thought Dameon did a nice job of handling himself just throughout this entire process, rehab, getting back on the field, putting himself in good shape. He handled the reps he was given, he handled them really well.”
Pierce is liking the direct approach of new offensive coordinator Nick Caley.
“I like that he’s straightforward, especially when you were installing it and going over again and what he wanted from us,” Pierce said. “And I feel like he catered to us as athletes, just him trying to cater to our skillsets as players. It’s been great to be in and learn and kind of see him feel kind of like I kind of have my own flow going on with him.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com