How Jalen Pitre imparts lessons to students, wants to ‘keep it going’ long-term with hometown Texans, pec rehab update

Texans nickel Jalen Pitre and Toro encourage students at Bang Elementary in a Pass the STAAR program, in partnership with Texas Children's (Aaron Wilson, Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

HOUSTON – Jalen Pitre imparted knowledge, and common sense with his encouraging words to elementary school students.

That included emphasized the importance of proper nutrition, exercise, sleep, study habits and listening to their teachers and parents during a free educational assembly.

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As the Texans’ hard-hitting nickel advised Bang Elementary students about an upcoming standardized test while joined by Toro, the team’s mascot, Pitre was asked a question about the joy of playing for his hometown team.

When the Texans drafted Pitre in the second round out of Baylor, the former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year was signed to a four-year, $8.954 million contract that included $6.323 million total guaranteed with a $3.692 million signing bonus. After completing three NFL seasons, Pitre remains under his original rookie deal. The Stafford graduate is now eligible to sign a contract extension and there’s mutual interest in extending their business relationship, according to league sources.

“Yeah, I definitely want to keep it going,” Pitre told KPRC 2. “You know this is home for me. This is where all my family is, this is is where I first started playing football. So, it’s definitely a lot of memories here. And I definitely want to continue to play for the Houston Texans. This is my city and I love this city."

Rather than stress about the contract situation, Pitre is focused on his offseason training and recovering fully from a torn pectoral suffered last season that required surgery.

“I know it’s going to take care of itself,“ Pitre said. ”I’m not really worried.”

Pitre tore his pectoral last season while tackling Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd and caught the brunt of a collision with teammate Henry To’oTo’o. His absence created a void in the Texans’ defense.

Without Pitre’s hard-hitting style, it became easier for offenses to run the football. And his physical, rangy, instinctive impact in the passing game was felt as well.

Now, the Stafford graduate is on the road to recovery.

Pitre had a successful surgery and is on track to participate in some offseason activities as he continues to strengthen his chest and regain his flexibility and range of motion to prevent any future injuries. It doesn’t sound like Pitre will be practicing in the spring, at this point, but should be ready for training camp.

“Yeah, I’m not really sure if I’m gonna be able to do stuff in the spring, but I’m feeling good," Pitre said. “My team has been doing nothing but helping me progress along the way and it’s been nothing but positive steps. So, looking forward to the season for sure.”

Back at his natural nickel position, Pitre started every game before he got hurt. He recorded 65 tackles, six tackles for losses, one forced fumble, one interception and eight passes defensed in a dozen starts.

The Texans adapted to the loss of Pitre by shifting safety Jimmie Ward to nickel as his replacement. Then, Ward injured his foot and was placed on injured reserve. He underwent surgery, a successful procedure, and is on track for the offseason.

Without Pitre and Ward, the Texans eventually turned to Myles Bryant as the primary nickel. He had some solid games, but also allowed an 86-yard touchdown in a playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers to Ladd McConkey and had trouble keeping up with the Chiefs in the divisional round.

The Texans clearly missed Pitre’s presence.

“Jalen, he’s been a true impact player for us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said when Pitre got injured. “Just being around the ball, just causing interceptions, forcing fumbles. He’s just been really active, very instinctive player for us.

“He’s been all over the field. And he’s made a lot of plays for us. And just miss his instincts, miss his playmaking ability, we’re going to miss that. So, we’ve got to pick it up and we’ve got to go. We’ve got to move forward. We’ve got to press forward.”

When Pitre is fully back, he’ll be a vital part of a loaded secondary headlined by All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr., who signed a $90 million contract extension this offseason, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, safety Calen Bullock and new safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson after a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles along with veteran corner Ronald Darby.

“Oh man, we just adding more dogs to the room,” Pitre said. “So, I’m excited and I know it’s gonna be fun to just get in and get to know these guys and just get to work with them.”

As excited as Pitre is, the enthusiasm of the students was overwhelming. Collectively, their voices were heard as the sound ricocheted off the walls of the assembly.

“I‘m just very grateful,“ Pitre said. ”I remember those nights before the STAAR test, I was a little scared. But just a couple of words of encouragement just to come out here and let them know that they got it and they can do it. It definitely brings me back to when I was a kid, you know, getting ready to start testing. It was some hard times in there because, you know, tests aren’t the funnest, but I know that they’re going to handle it well.

“They was lit, man. These kids they are so energetic and they’re so much fun. It’s just always good energy to come to these schools and to receive that energy and that is why I know that they are going to kill the test because they show up everyday ready to work."

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com

SEE ALSO ‘Means the world to me,’ Texans’ Jalen Pitre on giving back and how his hometown roots ‘made me the man I am today’ (click2houston.com)


About the Author
Aaron Wilson headshot

Aaron Wilson is an award-winning Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and www.click2houston.com. He has covered the NFL since 1997, including previous stints for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. This marks his 10th year covering the Texans after previously covering a Super Bowl winning team in Baltimore.