HOUSTON – Texans cornerback D’Angelo Ross was hardly tested against the New England Patriots and he held up fine, allowing just one relatively short catch against rookie quarterback Jordan Love.
Perhaps Ross was sticky enough in coverage in his first NFL start against his former team as the replacement for injured rookie corner Kamari Lassiter that Maye didn’t want to go at him as he threw three touchdown passes in the Texans’ 41-21 road victory, including one deep ball behind cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
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“I’m ready for the ball,” Ross told KPRC 2. “As a corner, you’ve got to be ready every play. So, that’s how I went into the game. My first game back in New England, that’s a familiar place for me. So, it was nice to get my first start at corner out there. I feel like I just did my job, did what I practiced 1,000 times. That’s what I relied on, just my technique, coaching.”
Now, the Texans’ injury-riddled defense and Ross are facing arguably a much more difficult challenge against the Green Bay Packers dangerous offense headlined by star quarterback Jordan Love.
Ross, who had three tackles against New England as he played every defensive snap, figures to be tested out a lot more Sunday. Love has passed for 1,131 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. His leading receiver is Jayden Reed with 27 catches for 442 yards and three touchdowns. He tends to spread the football around, including tight end Tyler Kraft (18 catches, 231 yards, three scores), wide receiver Romeo Doubs (15 catches, 218 yards, two touchdowns) and wide receiver Christian Watson (eight catches, 148 yards, two scores). Dontavious Wicks is injured.
“He’s definitely one of the best quarterbacks in our league, probably the best quarterback we’re going to play all year, like coach (DeMeco Ryans) said.,” Ross said. “So, it’s going to be a challenge. I think we just play our defense and play the way we know how to play and we swarm all over the place. From top to bottom, it’s dynamic players all over the place. So, we just got to play our technique, play together.”
Texans sign ex-Patriots DB D’Angelo Ross to practice squad (click2houston.com)
Texans signed D’Angelo Ross, Dieter Eiselen to new deals (click2houston.com)
#Texans corner D'Angelo Ross on his first start against #Patriots and Sunday's matchup against #Packers @KPRC2 @JLSports3 pic.twitter.com/gAe1x3XNCB
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 18, 2024
Ross, 27, is the primary replacement against for Lassiter, who will miss multiple games this month due to a scapula fracture, per sources.
Ross has mostly played on special teams, including 72 percent of the kicking game snaps last season and 58 percent this year. Last season, he played eight defensive snaps and 13 games overall for the defending AFC South champions. Ross had eight tackles last year as one of the NFL’s top-ranked special teams units best contributors in kick coverage under special teams coordinator Frank Ross along with linebacker Neville Hewitt, who tied for the league lead in special teams tackles.
Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke downplayed a suggestion that the Packers might target Ross.
“We didn’t necessarily have that expectation,” Burke said. “I mean Sting [Derek Stingley Jr.] is a great player, so maybe teams don’t want to challenge him all the time, but, at the same time, just talking about how they operate and the structure of their offense and if you’re trying to force the ball to a certain side or a certain place, or whoever that is then maybe that takes you out of your offense. I’m not sure that’s something that they would want to live in and operate in. D Lo played a great good game for us and we have confidence that he’ll do it again.”
Ross played collegiately at New Mexico. The 5-foot-9, 190-pound California native has run the 40-yard dash in 4.32 seconds. As a senior, he recorded 57 tackles with one interception and one forced fumble.
The Texans have several corners slated for reserve duty and special-teams, including Ka’dar Hollman, who was signed off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, and Kris Boyd.
Ross signed a one-year contract worth $995,000 this offseason with a nonguaranteed base salary of $985,000 and a $10,000 signing bonus.
Ross was signed to the practice squad Aug. 28, and then promoted to the active roster on Sept. 18.
Another win Sunday would boost the Texans’ overall record to 6-1 for the season and make a statement about their status as a playoff contender.
“Yes sir,” Ross said. “That’s the goal.”
NOTE: The Texans downgraded wide receiver and return specialist Steven Sims Jr. from questionable to out and he won’t travel with the team to Wisconsin. The Texans’ available returners with Robert Woods already ruled out with a foot injury now includes reserve cornerback Desmond King, a former All-Pro returner elevated from the practice squad.
The Texans officially activated defensive lineman Denico Autry as he returns from a six-game suspension for a performance enhancing drug policy violation.
They also elevated fullback Troy Hairston from the practice squad. Hairston has lead blocker experience and special teams skills.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
