The Denver Broncos are well aware of the fact that they are depleted thanks to a host of injuries to key starters and stars. That includes J.K. Dobbins, the Broncosâ starting running back who is on injured reserve with a foot injury, leading Denver to kick the tires on Dameon Pierce.
Pierce surprisingly became available late leading up to Week 12. The Houston Texans waived him ahead of their âThursday Night Footballâ tilt against the Buffalo Bills.
Unfortunately for the Broncos, he landed in arguably the worst spot possible.
Broncos Pursued Former Texans RB Dameon Pierce Before Chiefs Deal
GettyDameon Pierce #31 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball after a kickoff return against the Indianapolis Colts.
Dobbins is expected to miss the rest of the regular season, and he has an outside chance of returning if the Broncos reach the Super Bowl.
Pierce would have provided a physical presence in an otherwise smallish backfield.
âBroncos were in strong on former Texan RB Dameon Pierce per source,â 9Newsâ Mike Klis reported on X on November 22. âNot surprising as they could use a physical-type back with J.K. Dobbins down. Pierce instead has agreement with Chiefsâ practice squad.â
Pierce, 25, rushed for 939 yards and 4 touchdowns on 220 attempts as a rookie fourth-round pick (No. 107 overall) of the 2022 draft.
The Texans have rebuilt their running back room, freezing Pierce out more every year since.
He secured his release. Moreover, there could be additional motivation for Piece besides joining the Chiefs. While they have a championship pedigree, but have not performed up to their own expectations at 6-5 on the season.
However, the Chiefs will host the Texans in Week 14. That potentially provides an opportunity for Pierce to exact some measure of revenge against his former club.
A dual-threat, Pierce has 1,942 yards and 9 TDs from scrimmage in his career.
The Broncos will visit the Chiefs in Week 16 after defeating them in Week 11, before Denver went on its bye. The Broncos are not thin at running back, even if Pierceâs skill set would have been a fit for their group.
Broncos Relying on Small Backfield
GettyRJ Harvey #12 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The biggest running back on the Broncosâ roster, not including the injured Dobbins, is rookie second-round pick RJ Harvey at 5-foot-8 and 205 pounds.
Dobbins, who is listed on the teamâs website at 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, is not a bruiser at tailback. However, he was certainly better-suited to run between the tackles than his teammates in the Broncosâ backfield.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has been clear that Harvey is not slight, just short.
âI know the question is, âIs he a three-down back?â Well, heâs going to play on third down,â Payton told reporters in May. âIf you watch his stature ⦠heâs put together pretty well. So, thereâs a difference between a small runner and a short runner. Weâre not interested in the small runners, but weâre okay with the short runners.â
Broncos backs Jaleel McLaughlin (5-foot-7, 187 pounds) and Tyler Badie (5-foot-8, 197 pounds) are also smaller. The former has showcased his physicality in short-yardage situations.
The Broncos may not get Dobbins back for the remainder of the season, at least until the postseason. And they also missed out on Pierce. However, the Broncos have confidence in their room and have themselves in a strong position at 9-2 in Week 12.
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