Report: Derek Stingley Jr. to miss six to eight weeks with hamstring injury, could be placed on IR

Derek Stingley Jr. is expected to deal with a lengthy absence following suffering an injury in practice earlier this week.

According to reports, Stingley Jr. suffered a hamstring injury on Wednesday, and the young Houston Texans star could be sidelined for the better part of the next two months, staring down a bout with the injured reserve.

“Texans starting cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. injured his hamstring during the final play of practice Wednesday and is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks after undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging exam that determined the severity of the damage, according to league sources,” wrote Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. “Stingley is now a strong candidate to be placed on injured reserve, per sources.

“Under NFL rules, Stingley would miss a minimum of four games before he is eligible to return to the active roster. However, the injury is expected to require a longer recovery time than four weeks.”

Moreover, Stingley was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft for the Texans and was just beginning his second season with the team before this injury. Hopefully, he avoids anything serious and can get back on the field as soon as possible.

Regardless, the NFL world will be keeping an eye on what happens with Derek Stingley Jr.’s injury, as he still possesses immense potential that he’s looking to realize.

More on Derek Stingley Jr, Houston Texans

Continuing, Year Two with the Houston Texans is underway for Derek Stingley Jr., the former first-round pick. Stingley was able to find success as a rookie but with a new head coach coming into the building, he is looking to up the level. Considering he was a good cover corner last season, it may be difficult to improve.

One area Stingley can already see improvement in is his field vision. The defensive back feels like the game is playing out in front of him a little more, potentially slowing down as well. Stingley has worked on being able to process what is unfolding in front of his eyes. Thus far, it’s paying off in a big way.

“Oh, I feel like I’ve improved and I’m seeing the whole field at a faster rate,” Stingley Jr. said earlier, via KPRC 2. “I could kind of see it last year and in the years before that, but Year One to Year Two, you can see the pace a little bit more. Nothing’s really unexpected. Nothing really catches you off-guard anymore. I mean, it’s nice.”

Working with Houston Strength and Conditioning coach Mike Eubanks is helping the process move along. The two apparently work together every single day, with Stingley being able to add muscle to his frame.

“I put in a lot of work every day with coach Mike,” Stingley said. “I didn’t even realize it until I started seeing everybody saying, ‘You got big, you got swole.’ Even when I was in high school, I always had muscle. It is a little different now.”

Stingley played in nine games as a rookie, not allowing a single touchdown in coverage. He got his hands on an interception as well while recording five defended passes. Some of the NFL’s best wide receivers were on the other side of the Texans’ first-year player. A huge test, even for someone drafted No. 3 overall.

On3’s Alex Weber contributed to this article.