The former Pro Bowler with the Bengals was fairly quiet in Week 2 and now has an ankle injury that will keep him off the field. Pierce, the Texans' RB2, has only three carries this year but went over 1,

Akers took the first-team snaps Wednesday with starter Joe Mixon sidelined due to an ankle injury that could prevent him from playing this week along with backup running back Dameon Pierce with a minor strained hamstring. Neither of the running backs’ injuries are regarded as long-term, per league sources.

Michael Shapiro is a sports reporter for Chron, covering the Astros, Rockets, Texans and every team in town. Michael is a Denver native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and a noted fan of pull-up threes, wide-receiver passes and a good hot fudge sundae.