For the second time this season, a Houston Texans player has earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was honored for his Week 13 performance with two interceptions and four passes defended in the Texans’ 22-17 win over the Denver Broncos this past Sunday.
He joins fellow teammate linebacker Blake Cashman (Week 6) as the other award recipient. Stingley became the only player in the NFL to record four interceptions over a three-game stretch in 2023 and just the third player this season to record an interception in three consecutive games.
“He’s special, man,” said Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud about Stingley after the game against Denver. “That’s one thing about ‘Sting.’ He’s special, and he’s kicked a new gear on since that week he went down after Indy going to Jacksonville. But, to see him catch that groove again and see him work like he does, I’m just proud of that dude.
“I went to him the locker room, ‘Man, I’m proud of you, bro. No matter what is going on, no matter who has something to say, it doesn’t matter. You are who you are. You’re here in this position because God chose you.’ I’m proud of that dude. He’s going to continue to be great. When you have a corner that can lock down one side, it makes everybody else’s job a lot easier. Proud of that dude, and I know he’s going to keep it going, so I’m proud of him.”
This marks the first time the third overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of LSU has earned such an honor. In his six starts this season, he has four interceptions, eight passes defended, and has recorded 21 tackles (16 solo).
The honor marks the 55th time a Texan has been named Player of the Week and the 20th time a defensive player has won the award. This also marks the fourth time a Houston Texan has been named Player of the Week this season and the first time since 2018 that the team has claimed multiple honors on the defensive side of the ball.