The week’s Houston Texans rookie report takes a look at Week 4 where the Texans faced the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium. Houston lost their third consecutive game, this one to Los Angeles by a 34-24 score, as they are the lone team in the NFL left without a win in 2022.
The rookies for Houston were coming off a strong Week 3 performance against the Chicago Bears, but the Chargers were a tougher opponent and it showed in the final score as Houston lost by 10 points, though they trailed for most of the game.
Here is a look at the Texans rookies and how they performed in Week 4, especially the play of running back Dameon Pierce.
Houston Texans rookies had positive moments Week 4 vs. Chargers
Dameon Pierce
Well, there were a few bright spots for the Texans this week, but one we can all get excited about is rookie running back Dameon Pierce. The Texans’ offense looked similar to last week and the week before. They keep saying they are a run-first team, but they continue not to run the ball enough.
Pierce received only 14 carries, but he made the most of each and had an incredible 75-yard run to the end zone for a score. Pierce averaged 9.4 yards a carry and dominated the run game. His vision, strength, and willingness to not go down after contact is special.
The rookie Pierce is the only bright light on the Texans’ offense, as his potential will go as far as the Texans will let it. Hopefully, they run him more against the division rival Jacksonville Jaguars this coming Sunday and earn the first win for the Texans this season.
Derek Stingley Jr.
Getting thrown into the fire is one way to explain cornerback Derek Stingley’s first year in the NFL, even though he wouldn’t want it any other way. The Texans have placed Stingley on the best receiver each week on the opposing team, and this week was no different.
Houston’s coaching staff matched Stingley up against the Massive 6’4″ wide receiver Mike Williams, and it did not look great for Stingley. Williams had his way with Sting, catching seven targets for 120 yards. The matchup was more fun to watch than the stats say, but this week was not the best performance for the third-round pick.
Stingley gets an easier matchup next week against the Jags. He will have to cover Christian Kirk, and he is used to facing Trevor Lawrence, who he has played multiple times in college. We should expect a much better game in Week 5, and hopefully, Sting will step up big time in a much-needed victory for the Texans as they have yet to win a game this season.
Jalen Pitre
Last week rookie safety Jalen Pitre was undeniable, his potential shined bright, but that brightness dimmed against the Chargers. Pitre struggled big time and must get back to the player he was against the Bears in Week 4,
Pitre did not perform well at all against the Los Angeles Chargers. His tackling has to improve, the run defense has looked terrible, and he is a big part of the lackluster run defense. Someone needs to step up on defense and make a stop. The Texans cannot keep giving up incredible yardage to running backs.
Pitre has to step up next week, the Jags are a division rival, and the Texans must stop the running game early and often if they want a chance. The Texans can’t lose to another rivalry game.
Kenyon Green
Kenyon Green did not play well, but he has much to learn. Green’s pass blocking was some of the worst we have seen this season, and he can only improve from here on out.
While Green couldn’t block anything against the pass, he played well in the run-blocking game, allowing Dameon Pierce to get enough space to break away, letting him do his magic.