ARLINGTON, Texas — Everyone is fully aware that the Houston Texans are in a rebuild situation, and it is going to take some time, draft picks, and free agents to get them back to winning AFC South titles again. General manager Nick Caserio will have to continue to piece together the franchise, which will require patience from the fan base. He will need to have cornerstone pieces in place during that process.
Rookie safety Jalen Pitre has emerged as one of those foundational pieces of the house that Caserio is building. Figuratively speaking, he is considered part of the concrete that is being laid. Literally speaking, he is hitting opposing receivers and running backs like a ton of bricks.
On Sunday, in the Texans’ 27-23 loss to interstate rival Dallas Cowboys, Pitre made his presence known early and often as he made plays across the field with his hard-hitting and ball awareness to be in the right place at the right time.
Coach Lovie Smith attributes the outstanding job the former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year has done recently to the move from strong safety back to free safety, where he can utilize more of his skill set.
“I am trying to do whatever makes the team better,” said Texans rookie safety Jalen Pitre. Whether that is turnovers or imposing my will on people coming across the middle.” #WeAreTexans #Sarge @TheTexansWire pic.twitter.com/ZnioxeiUP2
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) December 12, 2022
Since his transition three weeks ago, Pitre has averaged 11.8 tackles per game and has led the team in that category in all three games.
“We made the move with him back in the middle of the field, and it’s paying dividends,” said Smith. “He’s a good player. It seems like it’s his natural position. He was active, tackling, playing the ball like all of the guys were today.”
Pitre was instrumental in keeping the Cowboys’ prominent wide receiver corps, consisting of CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, from making big plays down the field. During the last two minutes of the first half, Dallas was looking to take the lead over Houston; Pitre’s presence was felt as he broke up three passes on the drive and held the Cowboys to a field goal.
The rookie also came up big in the third quarter when Dallas threatened to retake the lead. After running back, Dameon Pierce fumbled on the first possession of the second half, the Cowboys drove the ball down to inside the red zone.
On third-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Pitre stopped Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott from scoring, forcing the Cowboys to go for it on fourth down. The Texans’ defense would prevent Dallas from scoring and give the offense the ball back.
“I am trying to do whatever makes the team better,” Pitre told reporters after the game in front of his locker. “Whether that is turnovers or imposing my will on people coming across the middle. Just making tackles and helping the team out as much as possible.”
