HOUSTON – Texans All-Pro corner Derek Stingley remains out with a lingering oblique injury he aggravated Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, sidelining him for the remainder of the game.
The chances of Stingley playing Sunday against the Tennessee Titans are dwindling. The team is preparing Tremon Smith to start in his place.
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Smith is one of the fastest, if not the fastest player, on the Texans’ roster. He has allowed just 2 of 7 completions in coverage for five yards and has four tackles, one for a loss. He has two kickoff returns for 40 yards this season.
“Tre did a great job for us,“ Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. ”He can run and he’s a physical player. He showed up. He tackled well. He covered. I think any time a backup corner goes into a game; they’re going to test you on some deep balls.
“Listen, Tre can run. So, he managed to handle those when they were kind of coming at him and made a bunch of plays and made a big play on the end of the half there on the quick game stuff, too. So did a really good job. Again, another guy that’s been prepared as a professional. If he plays for us again this week, he’ll be ready to go.”
Stingley first injured his oblique against the Los Angeles Rams in the season-opener and left the game, but went back in and played every snap.
Stingley was characterized as “day to day” by coach DeMeco Ryans.
‘Sting didn’t go today," Ryans said Wednesday “Sting’ is still dealing with his oblique injury. He’s still day-to-day.”
Meanwhile, starting right tackle Tytus Howard returned to practice from an illness. He participated fully.
Tytus Howard (illness) returned to practice while Derek Stingley Jr. (Obligue) remains sidelined. #Texans prepping Tremon Smith to start against #Titans @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/i2XwYzUN1a
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 25, 2025
Fullback Jakob Johnson missed practice with a hamstring injury again.
Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins was upgraded to full participation with a knee injury that isn’t regarded as serious.
Center Jake Andrews, who played every snap against the Jacksonville Jaguars, was limited with an ankle injury. He sprained his ankle in the first game of the season and made his return Sunday.
Both Collins and Andrews practiced Wednesday and Thursday.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com