HOUSTON – Texans standout cornerback Kamari Lassiter refused to leave the game Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers despite a painful knee injury.
The Pro Bowl alternate told coach DeMeco Ryans there was no way he was coming out of the game, a victory that clinched a playoff berth for the defending AFC South champions.
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Although Lassiter would likely be available this week if it was a playoff game, he has been held out of practice this week due to the knee injury and a lingering ankle issue.
His status is in doubt for a Sunday regular-season finale with the logical thinking that it would be better to rest him for a wild-card round playoff game next week.
Lassiter has four interceptions this season, 91 tackles, seven for losses and 17 passes defensed. Playing opposite All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr., Lassiter gets targeted more frequently. He has more than held up in single coverage, allowing 56 catches on 97 targets for 690 yards and five scores with an average passer rating against him of 79.8.
His aggressive tackling style sets Lassiter apart.
“It’s a unique skill set and a unique talent that he brings, and I would say that that’s pretty rare in a corner and the way he plays,” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. “He’s a want-to tackler, not a need-to. If you need to make a tackle, they do it, but he’s a want-to tackler. He wants to get in there.
“He wants to stick his face on things. He wants to be physical. He craves that and that’s not a common skill in that position. I think it’s, again, that’s part of the culture in the den that we’ve built. He’s at the forefront of that for sure.”
As the Texans prepare the Colts, they were nearly at full strength Thursday and Friday. The only players that haven’t practiced are Lassiter and linebacker Jamal Hill due to a calf injury.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has emphasized he plans to play any starters healthy enough to go against the Colts. A win over the Colts combined with a Jacksonville Jaguars loss to the Tennessee Titans would mean the Texans win their third consecutive AFC South division title.
Several players returned to practice Thursday, including veteran offensive tackle Trent Brown from knee and ankle injuries that sidelined him against the Los Angeles Chargers. With Brown back along with rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery after thumb surgery for a fracture and dislocation, the Texans have the option of going back to their regular offensive line of Ersery, Tytus Howard at left guard, Jake Andrews at center, Ed Ingram at right guard and Brown at right tackle. Ersery said he plans to play and is ready to go. If the Texans hold out Brown, then Howard would play right tackle again and Jarrett Patterson could play left guard again.
All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique), wide receiver Nico Collins (rest), Brown, middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee, shoulder), defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (elbow), defensive end Denico Autry (knee), tight end Dalton Schultz (personal) all returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday.
Ersery was a full participant along with kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (illness), Ajani Carter (hamstring), Austin Brinkman (knee), Darrell Taylor (ankle).
The following players were limited: Autry, Al-Shaair, Collins, Stingley, Ingram (ankle), Brown and Rankins.
“As we go through preparing for the playoffs, we have to focus on this week,” Ryans said. “As we focus on this week, my mindset is our guys are playing. We have something to play for. That’s the division. We have to control what we control and that’s going and trying to find a way to beat a really good Colts team.
“That’s my focus. That’s where we are. When it comes to managing guys, as I coach, and I’ve always been about this, everybody is on their own individualized plan. That’s how I always attack everything. Each man has to do what he has to do to prepare himself to be ready to go play. If guys are ready to go, they’ll be out there.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com