Texans Make Derek Stingley Jr. The Highest-Paid Defensive Back
The Houston Texans made cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. the highest-paid defensive back in the league on Monday by agreeing to terms on a three-year, $90 million deal ($30 million per year) that includes a whopping $89 million guaranteed, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 23-year-old former third overall pick by Houston in the 2022 NFL draft out of LSU was a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro for the first time in 2024 after recording a career-high 54 tackles (37 solo), five interceptions for the second straight year and 18 pass breakups in 17 regular-season starts. It was the first time he was able to stay healthy for an entire season in his third year in the league after playing in just 20 games in 2022 and 2023 combined. But Stingley proved last year that he's the real deal and he added two more interceptions in two playoff games.
Derek Stingley Jr. Wants To Stay With Houston For Rest Of His Career
When asked about a potential contract extension now that he's eligible for one, Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. said, "Yeah I want to be here forever." The 23-year-old former third overall pick by the Texans in the 2022 NFL draft out of LSU just wrapped up his third year in the NFL and was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro for the first time in his career. In 17 regular-season starts for the Texans in 2024, Stingley had a career-high 54 tackles (37 solo), a career-high-tying five interceptions and four tackles for loss. If the Texans don't give Stingley a long-term contract extension this offseason, they will most likely pick up his fifth-year option to at least keep him around through the 2026 season. He played a career-high 1,012 defensive snaps for the Texans this year and is surely well-deserving of a contract extension either this offseason or next.
Houston Texans defensive back Derek Stingley Jr. (hip) logged a limited session in the team's first practice of the week. The former third-overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft has been battling a hip ailment for the last two weeks, though it didn't stop him from suiting up in Week 11's 34-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. In fact, Stingley Jr. began last week as a DNP before elevating his practice status over the ensuing two days and entering the weekend without a designation. Houston is likely giving the 23-year-old a bit of rest after he recorded two tackles and an interception -- his second of the season -- on his highest total snap count of the season (74). He's likely not in danger of missing the Texans' Week 12 tilt against the Tennessee Titans. Still, fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on his practice participation over the next two days.
Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley intercepted two passes in the Texans' 22-17 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 13. It was Stingley's third straight game with an interception, and he now has four on the season. It was also Stingley's third straight game with two or more passes defended. He ended up with four pass defenses in the game. While Stingley missed Weeks 3 through 9, he has been one of the top ten defensive backs in the past three weeks. Next week, he faces the Jets, who have a mess at quarterback, and he should be a quality starter.
Texans Activating Derek Stingley From Injured Reserve
The Houston Texans are activating cornerback Derek Stingley (hamstring) from Injured Reserve on Saturday and are releasing offensive tackle Austin Deculus from the 53-man roster in a corresponding move, according to a league source. Stingley will return to action this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals in a Week 10 matchup for the first time since getting hurt in Week 2. The 22-year-old's return will be a huge boost to a Texans secondary that has struggled to this point in the season, but in his first game back, Stingley will most likely be on a strict snap count. The former third overall pick by Houston last year out of LSU had 43 tackles (35 solo), one sack and an interception in nine starts for the Texans in his rookie season.
Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley (hamstring) has been a full-go in practice the last two days after missing seven weeks with a hamstring injury. His status for the Week 10 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals is still to be determined, according to sources, but there is optimism that he could be activated from Injured Reserve after having a smooth week. If Stingley is active on Sunday, there's the potential for him to be on a snap count in his first game since Week 2. The 22-year-old former third overall pick last year would be a huge addition for a Texans secondary that has allowed 238 passing yards per game through nine weeks, which ranks ninth-most in the NFL, as they look to slow down quarterback Joe Mixon, who has been clicking on all cylinders of late after a slow start in 2023.
Houston Texans starting cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (hamstring) injured his hamstring in practice on Wednesday and could miss several games after undergoing an MRI exam, according to a league source. Stingley is now a strong candidate to land on Injured Reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. He's expected to be replaced primarily by third cornerback Shaq Griffin in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stingley, the third overall pick in 2022, started the first two games and recorded nine tackles. He's allowed four catches for 37 yards and no scores on six targets through two games. With the 22-year-old potentially missing the next four games, Houston's secondary will be much more vulnerable.
Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who was the No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft, looks physically improved this offseason compared to his rookie year, and his ability jumped out consistently throughout spring workouts. Stingley was drafted one spot ahead of the eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year in Sauce Gardner, who was a first-team All-Pro. Stingley will continue to be compared to Gardner, but the 22-year-old could have a big year in 2023 if he keeps up the momentum from the offseason. His rookie campaign ended in Week 10 when he suffered a hamstring injury, but he's healthy now and will be ready for the start of the regular season this fall. Stingley has all the skills necessary to be a lockdown cover corner for Houston.
Houston Texans rookie first-round cornerback Derek Stingley (hamstring) will miss his second straight game in Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins due to a strained hamstring. Stingley has been sidelined at practice since last week and will not play this Sunday, leaving Houston's secondary vulnerable against perhaps the best receiving duo in the NFL in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Stingley hasn't allowed a touchdown pass all season. He was replaced at outside cornerback by Desmond King against the Washington Commanders last week, starting opposite Steven Nelson with Tavierre Thomas filling in as the primary nickel. Stingley has 43 tackles, one interception and one sack in nine starts for the Texans in his first year in the NFL.
Houston Texans rookie cornerback Derek Stingley (foot) has looked good early in training camp while coming off a Lisfranc injury that ended his final year in college early. Stingley was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2020 out of LSU, and despite concerns about his foot, Houston took him third overall in this year's draft. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is expecting the 21-year-old to start right away for the Texans in his rookie season. In three games before his injury in 2021, Stingley had eight tackles (3.5 for loss) and a forced fumble. Stingley obviously has an extremely high ceiling at the next level, and the Texans are hoping he'll help turn around what has been an awful secondary in recent seasons immediately.
Derek Stingley Jr.
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