Chargers Rumored to Target Under-the-Radar Running Back After Texans’ Surprise Move

The Houston Texans made a very surprising decision to waive running back Dameon Pierce. 

As Bolt Beat noted, It has created an opening the Los Angeles Chargers simply can’t ignore. 

Pierce, who is just 25 and only two years removed from a highly productive rookie season, is now on the waiver wire. 

Multiple NFL analysts immediately highlighted the Chargers as a natural fit.

As Arrowhead Addict noted, “Pierce has more wiggle than Kareem Hunt and more power than Isiah Pacheco… he just needs a scheme that fits.” 

With Houston moving fully to a zone-heavy attack, Pierce fell out of favor as it did not fit his run style. 

But talent evaluators still believe his downhill style can make him a very solid running back in the right system. 

Few fits make more sense than Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman’s offense. 

With the Chargers missing Omarion Hampton for an extended period of time and Najee Harris for the season, they have lacked running back depth all season. 

Even with Hampton expected to return in the near future, Pierce would add important depth to this running back room. 

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Dameon Pierce’s Career So Far

Pierce’s NFL trajectory has been strange so far. 

He had a very early breakout in his rookie season that was followed by a sudden decline that buried him on a deep Texans depth chart. 

But his rookie-year production still stands out.

Pierce ran for 939 yards on the ground and 1,104 total yards in 13 games while posting one of the highest tackle-breaking rates of any rookie back.

Even last season he showed real burst in limited action and averaged 7.3 yards per carry in 2024 on a small sample.

Paul Kasabian summarized it well:

“Pierce certainly has potential to be productive again… he’s young and fresh enough to make an impact and perhaps reclaim his past success.” 

But Houston’s move to a heavy outside-zone scheme didn’t suit his north-south style.

The arrivals of Nick Chubb, Woody Marks, and Dare Ogunbowale effectively pushed him off the roster. 

Now he becomes one of the most intriguing waiver-wire options of the season. 

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Why Pierce Fits the Chargers’ Backfield Perfectly

The Chargers’ situation at running back has been complicated all season long. 

Rookie standout Omarion Hampton has missed six weeks with a lingering injury and still hasn’t had his 21-day practice window opened. 

Though the team is hopeful he’ll return after the Week 12 bye, he will probably be eased back into the offense. 

Kimani Vidal has flashed ability but has been inconsistent and left Week 11 temporarily due to a lower-body injury. 

Beyond Vidal, the Chargers have gotten zero running back production since Hampton’s injury. 

This was very apparent when Vidal went down against the Jaguars.

Vidal’s injury forced the Chargers to lean on running backs who probably wouldn’t be on most NFL rosters.

For a playoff-contending team, that is not sustainable. 

Pierce solves a massive Chargers issue: depth at the running back position. 

He’s not a huge name that will transform the offense, but he would be a big addition.

He can provide a reliable early-down runner, a physical downhill runner that fits Greg Roman’s scheme and insurance until Hampton returns. 

Roman’s power-running concepts, the same style Pierce thrived in as a rookie, make this an ideal match. 

Chargers GM Joe Hortiz has always made it clear he’s looking to upgrade. 

“We’re always going to be looking to make this team better… especially churning the bottom of the roster.” 

Adding Pierce would do exactly that.

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