Houston Texans: Rookie Report: Week 2
The Houston Texans 2022 draft class is impressive on paper, but how good can they be each week? In Week 2 against the Denver Broncos the Texans lost by a 19-6, but did the rookies for the Texans improve from their NFL debuts the previous week?
Let’s take a look at Week 2 for the rookies of Houston and how they performed on the road.
Dameon Pierce – Running Back
Dameon Pierce was finally used like a starting running back, and we saw glimpses of what he can do when his usage increases. Pierce was a bulldog on the field, rushing 15 times for 69 yards. He showed off his ability to run the ball by trucking over many defenders, stiff-arming, and if there were any space to run, he would hit the gap and keep moving.
Pierce should continue to see the majority of touches and start being a passing target for Texans quarterback Davis Mills. If Mills can move the ball downfield, we will see the touches for Pierce continue to rise as long as the passing game is on. The Texans need to score if they want to run the ball. The only limit to what Pierce can do is Mills, and iif he completes first downs, Pierce will continue to provide on the field.
Derek Stingley Jr. – Cornerback
Houston Texans rookie cornerback Derek StingleyJr. faced one of the best quarterbacks of all-time in Russell Wilson. Stingley covered Wilson’s favorite target, Courtland Sutton, who is the number one receiver for the Broncos.
Jerry Jeudy, the Broncos’ other receiver, went down with an injury early in the game, forcing Wilson to target Sutton primarily. Sutton tested Sting nine times, and it was a battle. Both players had their fair share of wins and losses in this matchup. Sting Looked great against a 6’4″ monster having some impressive pass breakups and tackles, of which he led the Texans with eight.
The Broncos beat Sting multiple times, and he also had a couple of penalties that he will have to clean up, but overall he looked good getting tossed in the fire against the Broncos’ number one weapon.
Being targeted nine times and allowing six receptions for 87 yards must change. Even though Sting had two pass breakups, he must improve this next week.
Jalen Pitre – Safety
This week, Jalen Pitre had a quiet game and he never stood out, but that isn’t all that bad. Pitre had two tackles and three assists, so that’s not a terrible game, but not impressive either. Pitre must step up against the run, and this is the second week where the opposing running backs had a good outing.
Pitre played well against the pass but struggled big-time tackling. If Pitre wants to stand out, he must complete his tackles sooner than later.
Kenyon Green – Offensive Guard
Kenyon Green had this first start with the Texans and looked decent. Green played a total of 62 snaps but underperformed compared to last week.
His pass and run blocking were not great, and he must step up if he wants to stay in the lineup. Again, this is Green’s first game, so we need to lower expectations.