It’s been another year to forget for the Houston Texans (1-11-1), but perhaps their biggest bright spot for the future has been rookie running back Dameon Pierce. But after leaving the game Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys with an injury, it was confirmed on Tuesday that Pierce suffered a high ankle sprain and will likely miss some time. That leaves Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale as the top two running backs for Houston. Given this new dynamic for the Texans, let’s look at the Rex Burkhead–Dare Ogunbowale fantasy questions for both traditional and DFS formats.
Rex Burkhead–Dare Ogunbowale Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
The Texans took a chance on running back Eno Benjamin after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals earlier in the season. But on Tuesday, Houston decided to release Benjamin, leaving a two-back system with Burkhead and Ogunbowale.
Burkhead has gotten some valuable goal line carries throughout the season and will likely remain in that role. But the Texans will also give Ogunbowale the chance to prove himself.
“What we did see was production from Dare,” Houston head coach Lovie Smith said earlier this season, via the Texans website. “He’s been waiting patiently for an opportunity. … He had some flash plays that caught all of our attention.”
When Pierce went down in the fourth quarter Sunday, Ogunbowale played more snaps than Burkhead (27% to 8%). Perhaps that will prove to be a sign for the remainder of the season.
The Texans will face a Kansas City Chiefs defense that ranks 24th in fantasy football points allowed to opposing running backs. Given that the Texans have shown a willingness to use Ogunbowale as a pass-catcher, perhaps he’s the better option than Burkhead for Week 15, when they’ll be trying to keep up with Patrick Mahomes and the potent Chiefs offense.
Expect the platoon situation to hinder the fantasy football value for either Rex Burkhead or Dare Ogunbowale. Given the uncertainty of how the Texans backfield will operate without Dameon Pierce, it’s probably best to keep either of the options out of your starting lineup until a clearer picture emerges.
Be sure to take a look at some of Stokastic’s fantasy football tools and projections for any other questions you have for NFL Week 15 and the remainder of the fantasy playoffs.
