Houston Texans' DeMeco Ryans Provides Injury Updates on Derek Stingley, Tank Dell

As both players remain out, coach DeMeco Ryans gave a slight update on both players' recovery Monday afternoon.

HOUSTON — Hamstring injuries to cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and rookie center Juice Scruggs have sidelined both players for an extended period. And as the team returns from a Week 7 Bye, both players will remain out.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC was the first to report that Stingley could miss "significant time" after he sustained the injury on the final practice play in late September.

Scruggs' respective injury came during the Texans' preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints. He began the season on injured reserve, which gave him a projective return timetable for Houston's Week 5 match against the Atlanta Falcons. 

As both players remain out, coach DeMeco Ryans gave a slight update on their recovery process following Monday's practice.

"With Stingley, I think his recovery process is going – he’s on schedule," Ryans said. "He’s on plan. He’s doing well. Juice – same way, we’ll see where he ends up over the next week or so."

The latest hamstring injury to Stingley marks his second since joining the Texans as the No. 3 pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. He missed the final eight games of last season due to the same injury.

Texans' cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. lays injured during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Stingley was having a solid start to his sophomore season, giving up 37 yards on four catches while adding eight tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, Stingley had a pass coverage grade of 64.0.

Scruggs is one of several offensive linemen who have sustained a crucial injury since the second week of training camp. An ACL and MCL tear to Scott Quessenberry led to Scruggs filling in the vacancy. But six games into Houston's season, backup lineman Jarrett Patterson has started each game at center.

While Stingley and Scruggs remained out, the Texans did receive the return of rookie wide receiver Tank Dell, who was in attendance at the Houston Methodist Training Center.

The former University of Houston prospect missed the Texans' Week 6 victory over the Saints due to a concussion.

"Getting Tank [Dell] back is big for us," Ryans said. "He’s been a consistent guy that we can count on when we need a big play. It’s exciting to have Tank back, and just thankful that he’s healthy and he’s back feeling better and ready to roll."