HOUSTON – Texans All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. wasn’t practicing Wednesday as the team manages his left oblique injury that he first sustained during the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
This is likely to be a repeat of last week when Stingley, the Texans’ $90 million man, didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday after aggravating the injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars, before returning to practice Friday on a limited basis and then started and played the entire game in a 26-0 shutout victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Although Stingley missed the majority of the Texans’ practices last week before returning Friday on a limited basis, he intercepted a pass.
“It take a lot to get me off of the field,” Stingley said Sundaay.
Stingley played 94 percent of the Texans’ defensive snaps, delivering a gritty performance.
“Stingley comes back, he was battling all week just to be able to be out there and he toughed through it,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He was able to be out there and not just be there but be productive. He was able to intercept the football for us to change the game.”
Signed to a contract extension in the offseason that includes $90 million in new money, Stingley read the play alertly when Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward’s pass was deflected.
He intercepted the 13th pass of his career.
“Right in the right place,” Stingley said. “Just doing my job. Just being who I’m supposed to be.”
Stingley managed to gut it out despite dealing with the injury and only practicing once last week.
“Every day is important,” he said. “Whether that’s doing stuff on the field, or doing stuff in other places.”
Meanwhile, Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. didn’t practice Wednesday. He finished the game Sunday against the Titans without incident.
Two players designated for return, safety Jaylen Reed (knee) and defensive end Denico Autry (knee) practiced for the first time this regular season. Both can be activated at any time during a 21-day window.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.