Texans list Laremy Tunsil as out for Jaguars while placing Derek Stingley on IR

The Texans and rookie quarterback CJ Stroud will be without left tackle Laremy Tunsil for Sunday’s road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

And, the team placed Derek Stingley on injured reserve as he continues to deal with a strained hamstring.

This is the second missed game in a row for Tunsil, the former Ole Miss star. The Texans will use Josh Jones at the critical left tackle spot for the second game in a row. Tunsil didn’t make the trip to Jacksonville.

Meanwhile, Houston’s injury problems are most acute in the secondary and the offensive line. The Texans will be without four starters on defense as they try to thwart Jaguars offense, led by Trevor Lawrence. Safety Jimmie Ward will play. However, Stingley will miss several games after injuring his hamstring in Wednesday’s practice. Nickel back Tavierre Thomas is out with a broken hand, while safety Jalen Pitre still is dealing with a bruised lung. He suffered that injury in the season opener. Starting linebacker Denzel Perryman also is out with a hand/wrist injury.

Stingley, the former LSU standout, started nine games as a rookie in 2022. But then he missed the remainder of the season because of a strained hamstring.

Texans have the most players on IR of any NFL team

Running back Dameon Pierce called all the injuries “detrimental.”:

“Any time one of these guys goes down, it hurts. We’re brothers,” Pierce told reporters. “We’re in 100-degree heat every day, playing. We’ve got families at home. We’ve all got a dream we’re chasing.”

The Houston Chronicle reported that the Texans had 11 players on IR. Stingley is the 12th. According to the Chronicle, Houston’s total is the highest of any team in the NFL. The Texans moved nine of the players to the IR during training camp.

The Commanders and the Cardinals are tied for second with nine players each on the IR.

It’s a tough situation for Texans first-year coach DeMeco Ryans.

“It’s something you can’t control,” he told reporters. “If you’re out there, you got to do your job. That’s what we all get paid to do. We’re professionals. You’re out there, do your job. We would love to have all of our guys back, but it’s something you deal with.”