Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr. puts recognition in perspective: ‘Means a lot because it’s doing something for the team’

HOUSTON – The vision and instincts are rare. The athleticism is uncommon. And the way Derek Stingley Jr. sees the game of football is beautiful in how he doesn’t overcomplicate the process of his job: locking down elite wide receivers and taking away his half of the field.

All of those qualities were on display during the past month as the Texans’ talented cornerback shut down passing lanes to lead the NFL with three interceptions and nine passes defensed while allowing an astoundingly low 1.7 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks.

Stingley led the Texans with five interceptions despite being limited to 11 games. He was one of the more glaring Pro Bowl snubs on the team, but was voted an alternate.

Focused on the task at hand, a playoff game against the Cleveland Browns, Stingley was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month this week. The recognition is nice, but it’s not what he’s thinking about the most.

In keeping with his usual low-key personality in interviews, Stingley was a man of few words Thursday in discussing his recent tear of performances. He is a man of action and all about the team goals.

“It means a lot because it’s doing something for the team,’ Stingley said. “Just locking in: technique, eyes, feet. Making sure I’m watching what I’ve got to watch, and I’ll most likely be in the right place to make a play.”

SEE ALSO: Texans corner Derek Stingley Jr. named AFC Defensive Player of the Month

Stingley was activated from injured reserve after being sidelined for six games due to a hamstring injury suffered in practice prior to a road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Since that moment, he has made up for lost time.

He intercepted Denver Broncos Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson twice in a win last month.

The Texans’ secondary had issues in a Christmas Eve game against Browns quarterback Joe Flacco and wide receiver Amari Cooper. During that 36-22 loss, Flacco threw three touchdown passes and Cooper set a single-game franchise record with 265 receiving yards, a number that tied the opponent receiving yards record held by Buffalo Bills wide receiver Lee Evans established in 2006.

The 10-7 AFC South champion Texans have grown accustomed to tight games and high stakes.

‘It’s pretty cool but I’m just ready to play Saturday,” Stingley said. “I’m just excited to be in the playoffs Go out there Saturday, I don’t feel no different. I don’t think anybody else feels any different.

“I feel like we’ve been in must-win situations for the last 10 weeks. It’s just another game, ain’t no different. We’ve put the work in, and we’re going to go out there and play.”

Communication and technique issues were the main problem for the Texans along with starting cornerback Steven Nelson being in and out of the game with a foot injury.

The Texans have played better on defense since that game.

“Yeah, it has improved a lot,” Stingley said.

For the season, Stingley has recorded 39 tackles, five interceptions and 13 passes defensed.

“I’ve seen him when he’s been hurt,” defensive end Jonathan Greenard said. “I’ve been there at that point before. Just knowing how he was trying to get mentally, I always told him to stay with it. He’s done that. We’ve known he can make those plays. When he’s on the field, it leads to production, and obviously accolades as well. I’m excited for the future for him.”

Between the 13th and 18th weeks of the season, Stingley had the top coverage grade from Pro Football Focus analytics. He was the only player in the NFL to intercept four passes in a three-game span.

Stingley missed the final eight games of last season due to a hamstring injury.

Drafted third overall out of LSU last year, the former consensus All-American had one interception and 43 tackles as a rookie.

Playing 96 percent of the defensive snaps, 687 overall, Stingley has yielded a 47.9 completion percentage rate, allowing 288 yards on 23 of 48 completions and two touchdowns for an opposing passer rating of 41.3

Inside the Texans’ locker room, Stingley smiled almost as if he was in on a private joke when asked about his series of breakthrough comparisons. That’s because his confidence has been unfazed by the interruptions of his playing time due to a few minor injury setbacks. He’s dealt with it all through a prodigious work ethic nurtured by his parents, including his father, Derek Stingley Sr., faith and a strong belief that he would ultimately rise to the top. Through it all, Stingley has maintained a humble nature.

“I mean, I feel like my teammates always knew,” Stingley said. “I knew. I just believe in me. I know I put the work in and my teammates put the work in. I mean, it’s nice, but still got a lot to clean up on. It’s always a lot to improve on.”

Signed to a four-year, fully guaranteed $34.657 million contract that included a $22.385 million signing bonus, Stingley represents the prototype cover corner at 6-foot, 190 pounds with 4.37 speed in the 40-yard dash. He’s actually much faster than that clocking, but was coming off a Lisfranc sprain foot surgery.

When the Texans hired a defensive coach in DeMeco Ryans last winter, he was excited to start working with Stingley, who has elite cover skills and is always hungry to work and gain more knowledge about the game.

“With Stingley, my first interaction with him was all positive,” Ryans said. “I know he was battling back from injury but seeing a young man who’s here every day in the offseason working, working for this moment, and it shows. It’s showing up now. He put the work in during the offseason.

“When not too many other people were around, Stingley was here grinding, and that work is showing up. So, really encouraged and pleased with Stingley and the work he’s put in. To see it all come to fruition, it’s really cool to see him work, work, work. Now he’s getting the attention, he’s making some plays, but he’s always had that in him.”

Before the Texans drafted Stingley, a former Chicago Bears colleague of Smith, who was dismissed after one season, predicted the AFC South franchise would wind up picking him. “He has all the traits,” the retired NFL employee said. “He’s got it all.”

Few players have the speed and command of the field that Stingley possesses or his acumen about the game.

He’s anticipating quarterbacks’ throws and pouncing on their mistakes. He’s also a willing and physical tackler.

“His athletic ability, it’s rare,” Ryans said. “A guy his size, the strength that he has, the speed that he plays with is rare at corner like that. His route recognition is picking up and he’s able to play smart football, being where he needs to be, then it comes down to him having that confidence to go up and catch the ball. He’s dialed in, he’s attentive to all the details and he’s seeing success because of the work and the preparation that he’s put in.”

Against the Broncos, Stingley made outstanding adjustments to react to the football and swooped in for interceptions. He picked off one pass that was deflected by teammate Will Anderson Jr.

“He played a hell of a game, man,” veteran corner Steven Nelson said. “That guy is going out there making plays on the ball. That’s really, really encouraging. He got Russell twice.”

Wilson completed zero passes when he targeted receivers in Stingley’s area last week and he has yielded just eight catches over the past three games since being activated from injured reserve and shedding rust in his first game back against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Stingley closed approximately a 6 1/2 yard gap between him and Sutton in the fourth quarter on Sunday when the football was released, according to NextGen Stats. Since returning from his injury he has a minus-16.2 target EPA to rank third and has defensed the most passes in the NFL with eight.

“He’s special, man,” Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “He’s kicked a new gear on since that week he went down after Indy going to Jacksonville. He had a great week of practice, and I remember walking up to DeMeco like, ‘Man, Sting looked great. I’m excited to see him.’ Sadly, he went down at practice. 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.”

Naturally, there are always going to be comparisons between two top-flight players at the same position from the same draft class. New York Jets All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner and Stingley are forever linked.

“The thing I like is he’s playing with confidence, and he’s showing up making plays. Stingley,” Ryans said. “He has been doing this. Everybody wants to talk about Stingley now. He’s been this player. He gets interceptions, now everyone wants to ask questions and talk about Stingley. Stingley has been a consistent player for us. That’s who he has been, and he’s just continued to show that growth. Now, I think everybody is seeing it just because of the big plays, but it’s not surprising with who he is.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.