‘Doing his job, playing big, playing physical,’ Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. coming off two-sack game

HOUSTON – Houston Texans backup defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. busted into the Minnesota Vikings’ backfield, staying low and displaying a powerful burst to create immediate penetration.

Twice, Settle sacked Vikings’ quarterback Sam Darnold during a 34-7 road loss at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The previously undefeated Texans lost their first game of the season in Settle’s top performance since joining the team this offseason on a two-year, $7 million maximum value deal.

Settle equaled his combined sack total from the past two seasons with the Buffalo Bills when he recorded one sack each year. After being shut out on the stat sheet in the first two games, Settle had three tackles and two quarterback hits against the Vikings.

At 6-foot-3, 313 pounds, Settle has size, strength and quickness working in his favor.

“Yeah, Tim has progressed really well with what we’ve asked him to do,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Tim did a great job. That’s an example of a guy who just was doing his job, pressing the pocket, playing big, playing physical in the middle of the defense. And with the guys winning on the edge, quarterback has to step up and Tim is the beneficiary of those sacks because he’s just doing his job.”

“That’s our focus each and every game,” Ryans continued. “Each and every time we step out, everybody just do your part and you’ll make the plays that you’re supposed to make. So, excited with what Tim is doing and excited to see him continue to build upon the game he had last week.”

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The pressure from Pro Bowl defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter provides opportunities for the interior defensive linemen like Settle.

Overall, the game was a setback, though, as Darnold delivered four touchdown passes.

“We just got to get better; the better team won,” Settle said. “Credit to them. We got to do a better job as a team in certain situations of rallying together to overcome that adverse time, whether it’s backed up or crowd noise, just playing better all-around.

“I feel like he was in rhythm. Our defense did a good job, but it was real simple for him. Our job is to make him uncomfortable.”

Settle’s signing followed the Texans trading defensive tackle Maliek Collins to the San Francisco 49ers for a seventh-round draft pick after their attempt to go for a player-for-player trade for defensive tackle Arik Armstead didn’t come to fruition, according to league sources. Armstead joined the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year, $51 million deal, per sources.

The Texans lost starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to a two-year, $26 million deal after trying to convince him to remain with the AFC South champions. The Texans were offering $12 million annually to Rankins, who had six sacks as a disruptive interior pass rusher, with him ultimately moving on for a more lucrative financial offer from the Bengals.

Settle (6-foot-3, 313 pounds) played in 17 games with two starts last season for the Bills. he recorded 14 tackles, one for losses and one sack. For his career, Settle has 87 tackles, nine sacks, 17 tackles for losses and 16 quarterback hits in 95 career games and six starts.

Settle, 26, has played in the NFL for six seasons. He had five sacks in 2020 while playing for Washington. Settle is a former Virginia Tech player and was drafted to Washington with a fifth-round selection.

At Virginia Tech, Settle was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.

The Texans are looking to bounce back Sunday against the 0-3 Jaguars.

“Everything is fixable,” Rankins said. “You don’t lose, you learn in this league. Hopefully, we learn from this and practice better and put what we need in the right place, and we grow from this.”

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