The Kansas City Chiefs quietly added depth to their backfield on Monday, November 24, 2025, by signing veteran running back Dameon Pierce to their practice squad — a move that, on the surface, seems routine but could ripple through their offensive strategy in the final stretch of the 2025 NFL season.
What This Move Means for the Chiefs’ Backfield
With Isiah Pacheco still nursing a hamstring strain and Samaje Perine serving as the primary backup, the Chiefs needed insurance. Pierce, 25, brings experience — he’s not a rookie, not a flash-in-the-pan. He spent three seasons with the Houston Texans, rushing for 1,027 yards and 7 touchdowns across 34 games. His best season came in 2023, when he averaged 4.3 yards per carry and showed surprising pass-blocking chops. That’s the kind of reliability Kansas City values — especially with Andy Reid’s offense often asking backs to do more than just run.
Practice squad signings like this aren’t about immediate impact. They’re about preparation. If Pacheco can’t go against the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday — a game that could decide AFC West seeding — Pierce could be elevated. And if he performs? He might stick around longer than expected.
Why Pierce? And Why Now?
The Texans released Pierce on November 12, 2025, after he was inactive for three straight games. He didn’t fall off a cliff — he just got buried on the depth chart behind rookie Jonathon Brooks and veteran David Montgomery. That’s not unusual in the NFL. Teams rotate. Players get buried. But Pierce’s film still shows a patient, physical runner who doesn’t fumble — a rare trait in today’s game.
Why the Chiefs? Simple: they know him. The team’s running backs coach, Eric Bieniemy, was on the Texans’ staff in 2021 and watched Pierce develop at the University of Florida. That connection matters. This isn’t a blind signing. It’s a calculated one.
And the timing? It’s no accident. The Chiefs’ offense has been sluggish the past two weeks. Their run game has averaged just 3.1 yards per carry since Week 10 — their lowest two-game stretch since 2020. Pierce could be the spark they need. Or at least, the guy who keeps the defense honest while Kyle Trask or Patrick Mahomes resets the play.
The Bigger Picture: Practice Squads Are More Than Just Roster Filler
For years, practice squads were afterthoughts — guys you’d see in training camp and never again. But now? They’re vital. Teams can elevate two players per week from the 16-man squad without losing them. That flexibility lets coaches experiment without risking injury to starters.
The Chiefs have elevated four players from their practice squad this season — including wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling in Week 8, who then caught a 62-yard touchdown. That’s the model: keep talent warm, ready, and loyal.
Pierce’s signing also hints at something else: the Chiefs aren’t satisfied with what they’ve got. They’re not coasting. Even with a 9-4 record, they’re looking ahead — to the playoffs, to the Super Bowl, to the possibility that Pacheco’s injury might linger. This isn’t just filling a spot. It’s building resilience.
What Comes Next?
Expect Pierce to be active for practice this week. He’ll likely be elevated for the Chargers game on December 1 — if Pacheco remains questionable. If he gets carries? Watch his vision. Watch his patience. If he breaks a long run? You’ll hear the Arrowhead crowd roar louder than usual.
And if he performs? He might not just stay on the practice squad. He could become the third running back on the active roster — a role that could pay out in postseason dividends.
For now, the details are sparse. No contract length. No salary. No official statement from Brett Veach or the front office. But in the NFL, sometimes the quietest moves are the most telling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this affect Isiah Pacheco’s role on the team?
Pacheco’s role remains unchanged for now — he’s still the starter if healthy. But Pierce’s signing gives the Chiefs insurance. If Pacheco’s hamstring flares up again, Pierce can step in without disrupting the offense’s rhythm. The Chiefs aren’t replacing him; they’re protecting against his absence.
Why didn’t the Chiefs sign a bigger-name running back?
The market for veteran RBs is thin. Names like Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara are locked in elsewhere. Pierce offers familiarity, reliability, and low risk — exactly what a contender needs at this stage. He’s not a star, but he’s a pro.
What’s the financial impact on the Chiefs’ salary cap?
Practice squad players earn $12,500 per week in 2025. Pierce will make roughly $50,000 for the remainder of the season if he stays on the squad — a tiny fraction of the Chiefs’ $255.4 million cap. No cap hit unless he’s elevated, making this one of the most cost-effective roster moves possible.
Could Dameon Pierce make the playoff roster if he performs well?
Absolutely. If he shows up in practice, catches passes out of the backfield, and doesn’t fumble, he’ll be elevated before Week 18. The Chiefs have elevated four players this season — and three of them played key roles in wins. Pierce’s physical style fits their playoff identity: control the clock, protect the lead, grind out drives.
How does this compare to past Chiefs practice squad moves?
In 2022, they signed Jerick McKinnon to the practice squad after he was cut by the 49ers — he ended up playing a major role in their Super Bowl win. Pierce isn’t McKinnon, but the pattern is clear: the Chiefs don’t just sign bodies. They sign players who fit their system — and they’re willing to wait for the right moment to use them.
What’s the likelihood Pierce gets elevated for the Chargers game?
If Pacheco is listed as questionable — which he is — Pierce’s elevation is nearly guaranteed. The Chiefs need a runner who can handle 12-15 carries. Pierce has done it before. And with the Chargers’ run defense allowing 4.7 yards per carry, the Chiefs might just want to test him early.
