2026 · WEEK 5 CLOSE
$287–1W–SINCE '26 DRAFTHIGH $287
AGE26Feb 19, 2000
EXP4 yrssince 2022
HEIGHT5'10"
Pierce will be the Eagles' starting running back against the Panthers on Sunday due to the absences of both Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and Will Shipley (foot, IR).
Shipley was placed on injured reserve Friday, and Barkley will miss a second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury that he sustained against the Rams in Week 4. As such, Pierce will be the lead back for Sunday's contest while Carson Steele operates as the backup. Pierce turned 11 carries into 14 yards and added two catches (on five targets) for minus-two yards in a Week 5 loss to the Jaguars. That game in London was the fifth-year pro's debut with the Eagles this season, and with another week of practice under his belt, Pierce will have the chance to produce against a Panthers defense that allows 156.5 rushing yards per game, which is second-most in the NFL only behind the Cowboys (168.4).
Pierce carried the ball 11 times for 14 yards and caught two of five targets for minus-2 yards in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Jaguars.
With Saquon Barkley (hamstring) inactive and Tank Bigsby (abdomen) on IR, Pierce began the game as the No. 2 running back for the Eagles behind Will Shipley, and he moved into the top spot after Shipley exited the game just before halftime with a foot injury. The result was Pierce's highest touch volume since Week 18 of the 2024 season with the Texans, although his longest gain went for just six yards. The Eagles' offense is struggling overall behind a patchwork offensive line, but if Pierce finds himself as the top healthy RB option in Week 6 against the Panthers, he'll still have some deep-league fantasy appeal.
Everyone sharing the ball with Dameon, most valuable first.
Above the line the plan was to throw; below it, to run.
The Eagles elevated Pierce from the practice squad to the 53-man roster Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
With the Eagles' practice week kicking off Wednesday, Pierce is getting the nod over Jaydon Blue, as Saquon Barkley deals with a hamstring injury that he suffered in last Sunday's loss to the Rams. Tank Bigsby (abdomen) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, so there's a real chance Philly's backfield consists of Will Shipley and Pierce against the Jaguars in London on Sunday. Shipley is the hot addition off the waiver wire in fantasy this week, but it's no guarantee that he handles the majority of the rushing work ahead of Pierce, who is a prototypical early-down rusher. Shipley has been the team's preferred passing-down back this season. Pierce is certainly worth a speculative add in most fantasy formats.
The Eagles signed Pierce off their practice squad Wednesday.
Philadelphia placed Tank Bigsby (core) on injured reserve Tuesday and appears likely to be without top back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London, so Pierce will be moved up from the practice squad to replenish the team's depth in the backfield. Assuming Barkley sits, Pierce will be primarily competing for reps with Will Shipley, who has been on the roster all season as the No. 3 back behind Barkley and Bigsby. Philadelphia could also look to elevate one of Jaydon Blue or Carson Steele from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's contest.
Pierce was released by the Eagles on Sunday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Pierce failed to make Philadelphia's 53-man roster, but the Eagles would like to add him to their practice squad if he doesn't get a chance on a roster elsewhere. The 2022 fourth-round pick of the Texans has been unable to recapture the magic of his rookie campaign, when Pierce rushed for 939 yards in the regular season. He has only 745 regular-season rushing yards across three subsequent campaigns.
The RBs priced immediately above and below him.
