The Houston Texans have one of the better pass defenses in the NFL this season, and star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is a big reason why.

Houston has surrendered just 207.5 yards passing per game this year, and with Stingley Jr. quarterbacking the team’s secondary, the Texans limited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to 191 yards through the air and the Los Angeles Rams to just 224 in Weeks 1 and 2.

Stingley Jr., the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 draft, made his first Pro Bowl and first All-Pro teams last season after a career year, in which he totaled 58 tackles, 18 passes defensed, five interceptions, and four tackles for loss.

In coverage, he was one of the best in the league, allowing a 45.3 completion percentage and 39.6 passer rating against. So when the 24-year-old cornerback left Sunday’s Week 3 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars with an upper-body injury, fans were likely concerned.

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“#Texans Derek Stingley Jr. questionable to return with rib injury. Tremon Smith subs,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson wrote on X.

Through two games this season, Stingley Jr. allowed nine catches on 17 targets for 101 yards. His 52.9 completion percentage against is best on the team among players with 60 or more coverage snaps, as is the 71.0 passer rating against, per Pro Football Focus.

With Stingley Jr. out, backup cornerbacks Tremon Smith and D’Angelo Ross are expected to take his place. Smith has 62 career tackles and two interceptions, while Ross has just 24 career tackles. They have a combined eight NFL starts between them.

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