Marlon Mack getting cut doesn't change Dameon Pierce's outlook at all.

Related players: Royce Freeman, Rex Burkhead, Dare Ogunbowale

The point was it doesn't change Pierce possible RB1 status because Mack got out-played by Royce Freeman this preseason. The tweet went on to say what remains to be seen is how much Burkhead plays on passing downs when the Texans are trailing.

For the preseason opener against the Saints, the Texans’ depth chart at running back went like this: Marlon Mack, Rex Burkhead, Dameon Pierce.

On Wednesday, coach Lovie Smith was asked to identify what he’s looking for when determining the regular-season starter.

“I think you let guys play,” Smith told reporters. “They kind of tell you who should start, who should be on the roster, how many plays they should get. We’ve been going through training camp, practice, we’ve seen a lot, but to see guys finish, I thought that was a big game."

Reports this week have said it's only a matter of time before the rookie Pierce takes over the starting role. Of course, the team could utilize all three backs and split carries. For what it's worth, we rank Pierce 42nd overall, but tops among the Texan RBs. We think it's only a matter of time before he takes over the top spot, too.

The Houston Texans have listed Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead as co-starters on their unofficial depth chart.

Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead have been listed as co-starters for the Houston Texans, confirming the committee many have expected. Rookie Dameon Pierce should factor into the committee but will have to battle for snaps with strong showings in practice and the preseason. The initial depth chart suggests that Mack should lead the team in carries to open the season with Burkhead pacing them in targets. Pierce has the talent to make the committee a difficult one for fantasy managers to handicap, as he can emerge the starter at some point early in the season or remain third on the depth chart until 2023. Mack is our 56th ranked running back, Burkhead is our 60th ranked running back, and Pierce is ranked 49th.

RB Marlon Mack signed with Houston in the offseason and projects to be near the top of the running back depth chart alongside Rex Burkhead. He was brought in because of his success in five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. "Marlon has been a productive player in the league and we look at his best years he's had," Smith said after Wednesday's OTA. "Sometimes you need a change, change of scenery, a new team."

"I know he's fit in well with our group," Smith said. "We feel like we have a plan for him and we like the running back position, not just him."

Related Players: Dare Ogunbowale, Royce Freeman, Darius Anderson, Dameon Pierce

Mack has more production than any back not named Burkhead on the Texans roster and has been positively boasted by Lovie Smith. That is Smith's M.O. and is not a coach that pulls punches when lifting his players. Mack can be an interesting late-round pick with 15-carry upside on a team looking for consistency at the running back position.

Marlon Mack and the Colts have mutually agreed to try to find a trade partner for the veteran running back, a league source confirmed to IndyStar on Tuesday, after Mack was a healthy scratch on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

Related players: Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines

This updates a story we had earlier from Adam Schefter. It looks like Mack has agreed to be traded. This story said the source indicated that there is some interest in Mack, although it is still early in the process. Mack, who rushed for 1,999 yards over two seasons as the Colts’ lead back in 2018 and 2019, has played just 13 snaps during the 2021 season. Mack’s picked up 16 yards on five carries, but the veteran has clearly fallen behind Taylor and Hines in the backfield’s pecking order, according to the story.

One reason Colts’ RB Marlon Mack didn't play Sunday is because, per league sources, the team is considering trading him.

Mack's on a one-year deal, he's healthy and still can be productive, Schefter pointed out. There were no interested teams listed but Baltimore and New England potentially come to mind as teams who could be looking to add at the position. Those now in the know about Mack should potentially make a play for him while he's still on the Colts. He could at least potentially find himself in a shared workload sooner than later, and we can all use running back help.

The #Colts are re-signing RB Marlon Mack, per source.

Marlon Mack is coming off a missed 2020 season after tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 1. He'll likely be behind sophomore back Jonathan Taylor, joining Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins.

Jonathan Taylor hasn’t been so bulletproof in Indianapolis. Initially promoted to the bell cow role in the Colts’ offense after starter Marlon Mack suffered a torn Achilles in the season opener, Taylor leads Indianapolis running backs in carries (106), yards (416), yards per carry (3.9) and touchdowns (4), but his playing time has been severely limited the past two weeks.

Related players: Jordan Wilkins

As the story pointed out, Taylor was forced into the bell cow roll after Mack went down, and even he wasn't expecting it. The story added Taylor has responded by working hard, impressing teammates and coaches with his work ethic, his preparation and his desire to live up to his draft billing and hasn't show any disappointed in his new time share. It's possible that work ethic could earn him his bell cow role back at some point this season, which is why the Colts are highly invested in him.