'Unleash The Sting': Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. Built For Playoff Moment

Derek Stingley Jr.'s efforts for the Houston Texans now has the franchise believing in the upset against Baltimore Ravens.

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

It's a famous quote uttered by boxing legend Muhammad Ali. It's also how Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. plays in coverage. 

He glides over his target and remains in pace with their cuts, breaks and blows. When it's time to close the gap, Stingley delivers more than just a sharp pinch. It's more or less a crushing blow to make sure the message sinks in clear. 

But butterflies move in silence. Few people actually catch the insect in motion before it lands in their peripherals. That's also a trait of Stingley, who is now preparing for his biggest test of the season by taking on Baltimore Ravens duo Zay Flowers and Lamar Jackson. 

Stingley doesn't talk much when on the field. He lets his play handle the comeback jabs. 

© Troy Taormina, USA TODAY

"You don't have to talk much when your tape does the talking for you," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said of Stingley. "There's not much to say. You don't have to be a trash talker or anything. He just goes and plays the game the right way."

Since returning from his stint on the injured reserve list, few defenders have posted numbers to match Stingley's. He picked off Russell Wilson twice in a Week 13 victory over the Denver Broncos. He broke up a pair of red zone passes to secure a win in Week 15 against the Tennessee Titans. 

Stingley, who was named a Pro Bowl alternate, went full sicko mode after being cleared to return to practice. Since Week 11, he's intercepted five passes, broken up 13, and been in locked form with receivers when playing in coverage.

Saturday's 45-14 wild-card round win over the Cleveland Browns might have been Stingley's crowning moment. Back in Week 16, Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper made Browns' history with a 265-yard, two-touchdown outing to secure the 36-22 win. 

In the rematch, Cooper finished with four catches for 59 yards at NRG Stadium. In 13 reps lined up against Stingley, he made one catch on three targets for a loss of six yards. 

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"He's been playing with great technique, great fundamentals, eyes, attacking the football," Ryans said. "He's been doing everything that we asked him to do."

Ailements have hindered Stingley's progression since college. After an All-American freshman season at LSU in 2019, the 6-1 corner only played in 10 games, missing most of the season with a Lisfranc injury in his foot. 

Texans general manager Nick Caserio was impressed after watching Stingley put on a showcase at the Tigers' Pro Day leading up to the 2022 draft in which he ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash. When on the clock at No. 3, Caserio chose to overlook the injuries and bring Stingely to Houston over Sauce Garnder, who'd go one pick later to the New York Jets. 

Garnder became an overnight sensation in the Big Apple, earning All-Pro honors as a rookie. Stingley missed multiple games due to injury and struggled in then-coach Lovie Smith's zone-heavy defensive formation. 

Ryans, a favorite to win NFL Coach of the Year, knew Stingley was special when he first arrived in February. While at the complex, he noticed Stingley working out at the facility. 

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Even before the two had met, Ryans knew of Stingley's potential. It was always about finding the right formation to strengthen the 'Sting.' 

"Throughout the entire year, what's impressed me is just his confidence and his playmaking ability continues to shine … He's truly gotten better and shown why he was drafted where he was drafted because he's a top talent in the NFL and he's proven that over these past few weeks," said Ryans. "He's proven that he's a top corner in this league."

Kickoff from M&T Bank Stadium is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.