Tag: Houston Texans injuries

Can the Texans find a replacement for DB Jalen Pitre?

The hits keep coming for the Houston Texans as Jalen Pitre is expected to be out “for a while” after leaving Sunday’s game.

The hits keep coming for the Houston Texans as the NFL season draws closer to its end.

Texans nickel defender Jalen Pitre suffered a partial tear to his pectoral muscle and is expected to miss “several weeks,” according to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson.

“He’ll be out for some time,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said.

Pitre was having a breakout third season before leaving in the second quarter of Houston’s 32-27 loss against the Tennessee Titans in Week 12. As of this moment, he’s not expected to undergo surgery during the regular season and could return before the end of the campaign.

That doesn’t change the fact that Houston still hasn’t clinched the AFC South division title entering its bye week and needs reinforcements at the nickel position entering December.

One of the blessings of the Texans’ defense was Pitre’s durability in coverage and run support. He had played nearly every defensive snap this season before colliding with linebacker Henry To’oTo’o while trying to tackle Titans receiver Tyler Boyd during the second quarter.

In 12 games, Pitre ranked second on the team in tackles with 75 stops. An effective blitzer, he also recorded six tackles for loss,  eight pass deflections, and an interception.

“He’s such a special kid, he really is,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke said earlier this season. “I love being around him every day and then talking to him and seeing how he operates. He is all ball.”

Where do the Texans turn next?

Houston must add another defensive back for depth purposes entering its Week 13 bout with the Jacksonville Jaguars. As for the long-term option, that part remains a question mark.

Right now, it’s expected that the Texans will turn to Jimmie Ward to play in the slot. Ward has experience in the system after playing under Ryans for two seasons in the nickel while the duo were in San Francisco.

#JalenPitre @HoustonTexans

Initially, Ward only wanted to play safety when he became a free agent. So far, Ryans has kept his word and left him on the back end. That changed Sunday when Ward picked off Will Levis for a 67-yard touchdown.

So far, it seems like Ward has a change of heart and plans on doing whatever it takes to help Houston keep its winning ways alive. Right now, the Texans remain 1.5 games ahead of the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South and could improve to 4-1 overall in the division with a victory on Sunday at EverBank Stadium.

Moving Ward to the nickel corner spot also means Eric Murray and Calen Bullock will get full-time snaps at safety instead of rotating. Bullock has been great in coverage, but questionable with his tackling.

Teams have targeted Murray in recent weeks due to his coverage skills. In Sunday’s loss, the veteran safety missed an open-field tackle on Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo that resulted in a 70-yard touchdown.

This is the play I asked Texans CB Derek Stingley about. Looking at the replay is worse than seeing it in real time. Safety Eric Murray is not going to want to see this during film study on Monday. #Texans #Sarge pic.twitter.com/vcD95gPH0a

— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) November 25, 2024

While the Texans could add a veteran off waivers like former Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson or former starting nickel Desmond King, they could elevate Myles Bryant to the active roster off the practice squad.

After beating out King for the backup nickel role, Bryant played in four games and saw limited action as Pitre’s backup. He has an understanding of the defense and could be an upgrade if Ward or Murray struggle at the new roles.

Texans 2024 schedule

  • Sept. 8: at Indianpolis (W, 29-27)
  • Sept. 15: vs. Chicago (W, 19-13)
  • Sept. 22: at Minnesota (L, 34-7)
  • Sept. 29: vs. Jacksonville (W, 24-20)
  • Oct. 6: vs. Buffalo (W, 23-20)
  • Oct. 13: at New England (W, 41-21)
  • Oct. 20: at Green Bay (L, 24-22)
  • Oct. 27: vs. Indianpolis (W, 23-20)
  • Oct. 31: at New York Jets (L, 21-13)
  • Nov. 10: vs. Detroit (L, 26-23)
  • Nov. 18 at Dallas (W, 34-10)
  • Nov. 24 vs. Tennessee (L, 32-27)
  • Record: 7-5

Titans vs. Texans injury report: Latest updates, news for Wednesday

Here’s the injury report for Wednesday’s practice as the Houston Texans prepare to take on the Tennessee Titans.

Here are the full injury reports for the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans ahead of their Week 12 matchup at NRG Stadium:

Tennessee Titans (2-8)

Did not practice

  • CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad)
  • DL Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest
  • OT Leroy Watson (back)
  • CB Roger McCreary (knee)
  • DT Sebastian Joseph-Day (biceps)
  • WR Calvin Ridley (illness)
  • LB Jack Gibbens (ankle)
  • DB Justin Hardee (groin)
  • LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder)
  • RB Tyjae Spears (concussion)

Limited participation 

N/A

Full practice

N/A

Houston Texans (7-4)

Did not practice

  • DE Denico Autry (knee/oblique)
  • DT Folorunso Fatukasi (foot)
  • OT Blake Fisher (concussion)

Limited participation 

  • LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee)
  • DE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle)
  • CB Derek Stingley Jr. (hip)

Full practice

  • CB Kamari Lassiter (concussion)

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Will Derek Stingley Jr. play on Monday Night Football?: Update on Texans CB

Derek Stingley Jr. is currently dealing with a hip injury following Week 10’s loss against the Detroit Lions.

The Houston Texans are gaining back wide receiver Nico Collins and defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. for Monday’s showdown in Arlington against the Dallas Cowboys.

While the duo are a welcomed addition to the lineup, Houston (6-4) could be without two starters in the secondary. Rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter suffered a concussion during the third quarter of Week 10’s loss against the Detroit Lions and remains in the league’s protocol.

Fellow cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. played through an injury and now could be out for the Lone Star Battle in what feels like a must-win game for Houston.

Here’s an update on the Texans’ star defender heading into their fourth primetime game.

Derek Stingley Jr. injury update

Stingley, who hasn’t missed a game in Year 3, did not practice during Thursday’s open session. He was listed with a hip injury on the team’s report and now enters the week as questionable.

Since the Texans have an extra day of practice, everything is shifted back by one. Usually, Thursdays provide a better indication of a player’s status because they are the most strenuous practice of the week this week. Stingley’s status on Friday might determine if he plays on Monday night at AT&T Stadium.

How long will Derek Stingley be out? 

According to KRPC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, Stingley is not dealing with anything serious and is expected to play against the Cowboys. Even if he’s limited in practice this week, he likely will return for Saturday’s walkthrough before the team rules him one way or another.

If Stingley were to miss Monday’s game, the status for a Nov. 24 matchup against the Tennessee Titans becomes questionable. Houston would only have two full days of practice before having to release the final injury report on Friday.

Derek Stingley stats
Stingley, the former No. 3 overall pick out of LSU, has been one of the league’s top corners in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, he currently has a 66.8 overall grade and a 65.8 coverage grade.
In 10 games, Stingley has 10 pass deflections and one interception.
Texans CB depth chart

With Stingley and Lassiter potentially out, here’s the rest of the cornerbacks on the active roster:

  • Ka’dar Hollman.

  • Jeff Okudah
  • Kris Boyd

Okudah, who signed a one-year deal this offseason after four years with the Lions and Atlanta Falcons, was designated to return to practice from the injured reserve last week. While he’s practicing, the former No. 3 overall pick has not been added to the roster yet,

The Texans could also elevate D’Angelo Ross, who was added back to the practice squad earlier this week. He started two games in place of Lassiter when the second-round pick was dealing with a shoulder injury.

Kickoff from AT&T Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.

Texans vs. Packers, Week 7 injury report: Wednesday

Here’s the injury report from Wednesday’s practice in preparation for the Houston Texans’ matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Here are the full injury reports for the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers ahead of their Week 7 matchup at Lambeau Field:

Houston Texans (4-1)

Did not practice

  • LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee)
  • WR Robert Woods (foot)
  • CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder)
  • LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion)
  • DB Jimmie Ward (groin)
  • DL Foley Fatukasi (shoulder)

Limited participation

  • RB Joe Mixon (ankle)
  • LB Del’Shawn Phillips (hip)
  • OT Laremy Tunsil (ankle)

Green Bay Packers (4-2)

Did not practice

  • DL Devonte Wyatt (ankle)
  • OL Elton Jenkins (knee)
  • DL Colby Wooden (knee)

Limited participation

  • CB Jaire Alexander (groin)
  • DL Kenny Clark (toe)
  • TE  Tucker Kraft (groin)
  • C Josh Myers (ankle)
  • WR Jayden Reed (ankle)
  • WR Dontayvion Wicks (shoulder)
  • WR Christian Watson (ankle)

Full participant

  • DL Jonathan Ford (calf)

Kickoff from Lambeau Field is scheduled for noon CT. The Packers open as a -2.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM.