The Houston Texans could be set for a nervous couple of weeks when it comes to the role that Derek Stingley Jr and his preparation for the season.
Having been one of the more competitive teams in the NFL during the 2010s, winning 6 AFC South titles during that time and winning four playoff games, the Houston Texans have been going through something of a rebuild in recent years.
They released perennial all-pro J.J Watt after the 2020 season, as well as franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson following his various off-field issues, and have put together two straight seasons of only winning 4 games.
The 4-13 record in the 2021 season put them in a position to draft rather highly in this year’s draft and they took cornerback Derek Stingley Jr with the 3rd overall pick out of LSU.
A perennial playmaker
Stingley showed what he could bring to the NFL during LSU’s run to the National Championship, as he had 38 total tackles, 15 pass deflections and 6 intercpetions on the Tigers’ way to winning it all with Heismann-winning QB Joe Burrow leading the offence.Â
However, the past two seasons have been disrupted by illness injury, as he was only been able to play ten games in total before declaring for the NFL Draft, but the Texans clearly saw enough in risk bringing him in, especially when there were plenty of other corners on the board.
Not ready just yet
Speaking recently on Houston Radio Station KILT-AM (quoted by USA Today), Texans General Manager Nick Caserio said that there was still some way to go before Stingley Jr would be back and in a position to train ahead of the 2022 season:
“Really he played three or four games there with a foot and he wasn’t really healthy. So, kind of speaks to his competitiveness and his toughness. And then he was able to get out there in the spring and show that he’s at least making some progress. I’d say he’s got some work to do in terms of being ready to go for camp.â€
You just have to hope that he’s able to go in time for camp, because the longer he is out, the less prepared he’s going to be for the games when they start.
And seeing as Houston had the 2nd worst defence in the league last year, giving up 6,535 yards, they need all the help they can get, so they need Stingley to be back asap if they’re to have any success this year.