Houston Texans star safety Jalen Pitre has sustained a shoulder injury playing against the Tenessee Titans in Week 12 and is questionable to return. He was last seen heading to the locker room without his helmet, which does not bode well for the rest of his game.
Texans DB Jalen Pitre has a shoulder injury and is questionable to return. #HtownMade
— SportsRadio 610 (@SportsRadio610) November 24, 2024
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Pitre appears to have injured his shoulder in the second quarter of Sunday’s game and was evaluated by trainers in the blue medical tent before heading to the locker room at the two-minute warning. Should Pitre be unable to return, M.J. Stewart is likely to take over at slot corner.
Pitre was drafted by the Texans in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft (No. 37 overall) after an impressive college career at Baylor, where he was a standout player. Pitre’s college accolades included being named a First-Team All-Big 12 selection and winning the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, thanks to his ability to disrupt offenses as a versatile safety with strong coverage skills and an instinctive nose for the ball. He was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
In his rookie year with the Texans, Pitre quickly earned a starting role and proved to be a key contributor to the defense. In his first season, he started all 17 games and made an immediate impact. He recorded 147 total tackles, including 99 solo stops, one sack, five interceptions, and eight passes defended.
The player led the team in interceptions, total tackles, and solo tackles, while tying for the team lead in passes defended, which earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
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However, Pitre’s 2023 season was a challenging one, marked by ups and downs. He finished with just 84 tackles—63 fewer than his impressive rookie total—and did not record any interceptions. His struggles in coverage were evident, as he allowed three touchdowns and posted a 127.9 passer rating when targeted as the nearest defender.
Earlier this year, Pitre expressed his hopes for a stronger season, saying, “I think that’s the next step for me. Just being calm and understanding what the coaches want from me.”
This season, Pitre has totaled 64 tackles and an interception for the Texans, delivering a solid performance and helping him regain his role as a critically important part of the defense. If he is not able to return against the Titans today, it could be a game-changer.
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