Kamari

Lassiter

That will unlock some of Indianapolis’ wideout options should Riley Leonard be able to aim the ball in their direction. Derek Stingley (oblique) is off the injury report, as is linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. It doesn’t sound like Lassiter would be resting if this were a win-and-in game for the Texans.

Lassiter got hurt in Week 17 against the Chargers, but was able to return later in the game. Thus far, he has missed both practices in Week 18. Fellow starting CB Derek Stingley (oblique) resumed practicing today, as did LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee/shoulder). The Texans (11-5) have secured a playoff spot, yet trail the Jaguars (12-4) in the AFC South standings. If the Jaguars lose to the Titans this week, the Texans can steal the division title by beating the Colts. The outcome seems unlikely.

Stingley has been playing through the oblique issue for a while. He was listed as questionable for Week 16, but, per usual, was on the field come Sunday. He was held out of yesterday’s practice, though that’s just load management at this point. Kamari Lassiter was also out of practice on Tuesday. Like Stingley, he returned today and should be good to go for Week 17.

Though he has played in every game this season, Stingley dealt with the oblique issue early on and now misses the first practice of Week 16 because of it. The 24-year-old has played through it before and certainly can again with some practice time later this week. Fellow CB Kamari Lassiter (foot) also missed practice, though he played through the injury in Week 15. Stingley and Lassiter still have a good chance of playing Week 16 against the Raiders, though practice reports later in the week will provide a clearer picture.

Despite getting in just one practice this week, the Texans were reportedly optimistic about him playing. While he still needs to get the final go-ahead after testing things out this morning, it looks like Lassiter will suit up for a must-win bout with the Chiefs. Lassiter has 10 pass breakups and two interceptions this year.

He got in a limited session on Friday after two DNPs, and the Texans were reportedly (per Aaron Wilson) optimistic that he’ll play on Sunday. It would be good news for Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy if Lassiter sat, as he’s complied a 73.9 PFF coverage grade in 721 snaps this season.

The Texans will also be without starting cornerback Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) as well. Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye’s day is made somewhat easier by the news, though he remains a volatile QB2.

Lassiter (5’11/186) was able to penetrate the ultra-deep Georgia depth chart as a true freshman by playing 158 snaps with a 77th percentile defensive grade for the National Champions. He would go on to start 29 straight games over the next two years, earning Second Team All-SEC recognition in the process. Lassiter was tested as a first year starter, allowing 32 receptions on 55 targets for a 58% completion rate, 419 yards and two touchdowns with a 94.4 NFL pass rating when targeted. It was a different story in 2023, with the corner cutting his coverage production in half by giving up just 15 receptions on 39 targets for a 38% completion rate, 136 yards and a 48.7 NFL pass rating. He checked the agility boxes at the Combine with a 4.12s shuttle (84th percentile) and a 6.62s 3-Cone that led all cornerbacks. He waited to run until the Georgia pro day, and it became obvious why when he posted a disheartening 4.64s 40-yard dash that would have tied for the slowest cornerback 40-time at the Combine had he tested in Indianapolis instead of Athens. Adept at using the sideline to his advantage by walling off receivers on go routes, while loose hips help him stay in phase on double-moves. He should challenge for playing time early on, with work as the team’s slot-corner the obvious path to playing time.