HOUSTON – Texans standout rookie cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was officially ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders.
Texans coach Lovie Smith had previously characterized Stingley’s status as a game-time decision. However, league sources emphasized that the Texans would exercise caution with the first-round draft pick from LSU to not further aggravate the injury.
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“He didn’t practice today,” Smith said Friday morning. “He’ll go right up until the game, yeah.”
Asked if Stingley is improving, Smith replied: “Absolutely.”
The Texans don’t want to risk a setback for the former consensus All-American. The Texans also ruled out linebacker Neville Hewitt with a hamstring injury. Defensive end Rasheem Green is questionable with an illness.
Drafted third overall, Stingley hasn’t allowed a touchdown pass all season and has provided sound coverage and tackling.
Stingley will be replaced at outside cornerback by Desmond King starting opposite Steven Nelson with Tavierre Thomas filling in as the primary nickel.
Not having Stingley impacts the defense against a talented Commanders receiving corps headlined by Terry McLaurin.
“Incremental gains every game, rarely makes the same mistake twice,” Texans cornerbacks coach Dino Vasso said Thursday after practice. “He’s competitive. We talked about his resiliency in the pass, so pretty impressed with him up to this point.
“He doesn’t have a physical limitation. I wouldn’t say he has any weaknesses. He has some things he does better than others, but I don’t think he has any limitations or weaknesses. He can do it all in that regard.”
The Texans cut cornerback BoPete Keyes from the practice squad Friday.
Stingley has recorded 43 tackles, one interception and one sack, starting nine games for the 1-7-1 Texans. He has played 97 percent of the defensive snaps this season. He has been targeted 53 times, allowing 34 completions for 409 yards and an opposing quarterback rating of 79.8.
“I think he’s been doing a good job,” said Nelson, one of the highest graded corners in the league this year in his eighth NFL season. “He doesn’t speak too much, but that’s what you want. You don’t want a guy who talks a lot. You want him to prove it with his actions. He puts his head down and goes to work.”
At 6-foot, 190 pounds, with a recorded 4.37 40-yard dash, Stingley has speed to burn. The Texans identified him as the top cornerback on their draft board and, thus, selected him one pick before the New York Jets drafted Cincinnati All-American corner Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. Then, Stingley signed a fully guaranteed, four-year, $34.6 million contract that includes a $22.3 million signing bonus and a fifth-year club option.
A two-time All-SEC selection, Stingley is a former blue-chip who finished his college career with 73 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
The Texans targeted Stingley as their chosen corner for a reason.
“That’s why we drafted him that high,” Smith said.
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to KPRC 2 and click2houston.com