The Houston Texans (0-3) lineup could be missing a key part of its defense on Sunday as they face their divisional rival, the Tennessee Titans (0-3) at NRG Stadium.
2024 NFL All-Defensive First-Team selection Derek Stingley Jr., or as he has been called by second-year cornerback Kamari Lassiter, "All-Pro Sting," is listed as questionable with a oblique injury that limited him to only 14 snaps against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Stingley did not practice early on in the week and went through a small portion of the Texans' walk-through on Friday. In his absence, eight-year veteran Tremon Smith is due to get the start opposite of Lassiter.
“‘Tre’ [Tremon Smith] did a great job for us," said Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke about Smith's play in Stingley's absence. "Again, sort of the same answer in terms of guys preparing and being ready to go when the number's called.
"We know obviously from his special teams work. I mean, he can run, and he's a physical player. He showed up. He tackled well. He covered."
Without Stingley, the former third overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, Lassiter would be responsible for matching up with the Titans' number one wide receiver, something Stingley does typically.
According to Next Gen Stats, Lassiter has allowed the 12th-most yards per target (9.5) and the 14th-highest completion percentage over expected (10.1%) among cornerbacks (min. 10 targets) through the first three weeks.
Although he is prepared to do whatever the team needs to get their first win of the season, Lassiter will definitely miss Stingley's presence.
"Sting, that's my dog, he is an amazing player," said Lassiter to the media on Thursday. "Obviously you miss out on a lot with Sting not being on the field. It is a huge blow."