'Shh!': Derek Stingley Jr. Quiets Doubters With Social Media Post

Stingely posted to his Instagram page a photo of Seattle Seahawks All-Pro defender Richard Sherman following his performance in the 2014 NFC Championship game. On the next slide, he posted a stat mentioning his outing against Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper in Saturday's 45-14 wild-card round victory. 

And after that? Highlights of his play in coverage that helped Houston secure its first playoff win in four years. The Texans' defense unloaded in the third quarter on Browns quarterback Joe Flacco, recording a pair of pick-sixes on back-to-back drives to put the game out of reach. 

Stingley captioned the post, "Like I said, run the tape."

"Stingley did an unbelievable job on Cooper," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said postgame. "I think we limited him to four catches. It was an outstanding job by ‘Sting.' He was up for the challenge, up for the matchup. That's what playoff football is about."

According to the Texans' social media account, Stingley allowed one catch for a loss of six yards on three targets when lined up against Cooper. In Cleveland's 36-22 victory on Christmas Eve in Week 16, Cooper was lethal and the most influential player on offense, hauling in a Browns' single-game receiving record of 265 yards and two touchdowns.

In the rematch, Cooper was held to four catches for 59 yards. 

Sherman, a three-time All-Pro, made waves in his second season after blanketing San Francisco 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree to help Seattle secure the NFC crown. On the final drive, Sherman saved the game with a pass breakup against Crabtree on fourth down in the end zone that would have given the 49ers the lead. 

Sherman immediately told Fox's Erin Andrews postgame that he's "The best corner in the game," later adding, "When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that’s the result you’re going to get." 

Stingley, who helped LSU secure its first national title since 2007 in 2019 during his freshman season, didn't go that far to call himself Sherman 2.0, but he was in his element. It's hard to blame him, either, following a surging sophomore campaign. 

After being drafted No. 3 overall in 2022, Stingley was expected to be a bonafide shutdown corner from the jump. He played in nine games and was inconsistent in then-coach Love Smith's defensive formation before being shut down with a hamstring injury. 

Health had been a concern for Stingley entering the draft. After an All-American freshman season in Baton Rouge, the 6-1 cornerback was limited to 10 games over his final two seasons due to multiple injuries, including a Lisfranc injury in his foot that required season-ending surgery in Sept. 2021. 

The narrative worsened with the success of All-Pro defender Sacue Garnder, who was selected one pick later by the New York Jets. Critics pondered whether general manager Nick Caserio made the wrong call by selecting Stingley despite known injury concerns. 

When on the field, Stingley has lived up to the hype. From Weeks 13-18, Stingley led the NFL with three interceptions, while earning the best defensive and coverage grade among qualifying AFC cornerbacks from Pro Football Focus. 

He also led the NFL with nine pass breakups while allowing a league-low 1.7 passer rating when targeted by opposing teams.

Stingley was named Defensive Player of the Month in December for his efforts. 

The Texans travel to M&T Bank Stadium to take on the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Division Round on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.