Talented Ravens backup running back Bernard Pierce enters Week 3 against the Texans owned in 89 percent of CBSSports.com Fantasy leagues, and could prove a valuable investment in the event Ray Rice's hip injury sidelines him for Sunday's game.
Pierce stepped up in Rice's absence last week, rushing for 57 yards and a touchdown after Rice went down with an injury. He's got a chance to be a featured back if Rice is unable to go, and he would be a solid Fantasy option if that were the case, even with a tough matchup on the way.
The Texans have allowed just 171 yards on 50 carries in the rushing game through two weeks, and have allowed just one touchdown to a running back. Even against that type of matchup, Pierce is likely to be a top-20 back this week if given 20 carries; only one of our three experts have Pierce ranked below 20 this week.
Pierce's owners will have to keep a close eye on Rice's status moving towards game-time, because there is big-time potential here for a breakout game. If Rice is inactive, Pierce should be worth starting in the majority of Fantasy formats for Week 3.