The Houston Texans received another stellar performance from former first-round draft pick and starting cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stingley finished the contest with 2 total tackles and 2 pass deflections in the 36-29 comeback victory. He also made an eye-popping interception that significantly impacted the game.
### NFL Sends Message on Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr.
The Texans selected Stingley with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 draft. Since then, he has quickly established himself as one of the league’s top defensive backs, earning his first Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors in 2024. In March, Stingley signed a three-year, $90 million contract extension—an investment justified by plays like his recent one-handed interception.
The NFL’s official X handle acknowledged the moment, posting on November 11:
“Derek Stingley’s one-handed interception flipped the momentum for the Texans [triumphant emoji].”
So far this season, Stingley has compiled 21 total stops, 10 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions. His crucial interception came at a pivotal time, halting the Jaguars from extending their 20-10 halftime lead. Although Jacksonville scored 9 more points after that, the Texans answered on the scoreboard to stay in the game. Thanks to Stingley—whom Next Gen Stats credited with allowing only 1 reception for 9 yards on four targets— the Jaguars failed to score again.
### Derek Stingley Takes Victory Lap
Stingley, who has garnered Defensive Player of the Year attention and debuted at No. 18 on the NFL’s Top 100 list for 2025, was clearly proud of his performance during the Texans’ comeback win. He shared messages from fellow NFL players who were in awe of his interception.
“Holy F!” exclaimed “Corner Suite Podcast” host and former Texans DB Steven Nelson on X (November 9). “Sting man [checkmark emoji].”
Fellow NFL cornerback Kelvin Joseph posted a series of fire emojis tagging Stingley, signaling his admiration.
Former Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko praised Stingley highly on X, sharing the interception clip and saying:
“There is nobody in Derek Stingley’s realm right now as a cornerback in the NFL. He has no peers.”
According to Pro Football Reference, Stingley is allowing a career-best 41.9% completion rate on 43 targets in his coverage this season. This marks the best completion percentage allowed among all defenders who have faced at least as many targets, per Stathead.
### Derek Stingley Gets Honest About Head-Turning Interception
Speaking candidly about the moment and the roaring home crowd celebration, Stingley told Brian “Big Sarge” Barefield after the game on November 9:
“I was just looking like, ‘Oh, my God!’ The stadium, going crazy. Everybody screaming. Nah, it was crazy.”
The Texans were exacting revenge for their Week 3 loss to the Jaguars, doing so without their starting quarterback C. J. Stroud. Stingley’s timely play helped keep hope alive while the Texans’ offense found its footing.
Teammate and fellow cornerback Kamari Lassiter praised Stingley’s athleticism and instincts:
“He’s one of the greatest players I ever played with. 1-of-1. Go out there, dive, undercut the route, one-hand snag it. I didn’t get to see it because I was covered on the other side. But once I saw the replay, I’m like, ‘Bro, you gotta chill out, bro. You gotta chill out.’”
Derek Stingley Jr. continues to demonstrate why he is a cornerstone of the Texans’ defense and one of the NFL’s elite cornerbacks.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/houston-texans/stingley-message-interception-lassiter/