ARLINGTON – The Texans are expected to start Ka’dar Hollman at cornerback Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys, according to league sources.
Texans rookie standout cornerback Kamari Lassiter returned to practice Saturday and is out for this game, per sources, after sustaining a concussion last week against the Detroit Lions. Lassiter is doing well and expected to be back in the starting lineup next week. The Texans are being precautionary with Lassiter, as they generally are with players one week after a concussion.
Hollman was previously signed off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad to the Texans’ 53-man roster.
Hollman, a 30-year-old former Green Bay Packers sixth-round draft pick, started one game last season for the Texans against the Atlanta Falcons and held up solidly. He played in three games for the Ravens since being signed to their practice squad after being released after training camp.
Lassiter has played in five games for the Texans and has recorded five tackles while playing 36 snaps for 12 percent of the defensive snaps and 99 special teams snaps for 66 percent participation in the kicking game.
Lassiter, a second-round draft pick from Georgia, caught some friendly fire on an inadvertent and crushing hit from teammate Jimmie Ward in the second half last Sunday night of a 26-23 loss to Detroit.
Lassiter intercepted Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff twice before getting hurt.
Lassiter has started eight games this season for the 6-4 Texans, missing two games with a hairline fracture of his scapula.
He has three interceptions and eight passes defensed with 29 tackles, two for losses.
Opposing quarterbacks have completed just 16 of 38 passes for 247 yards for a 42.1 completion percentage with two touchdowns allowed.
Lassiter has excelled in man-to-man coverage, applying sticky skills in mirroring receivers’ routes. Lassiter is ultra-competitive for the football, intercepting passes and disrupting others. And Lassiter, true to his form in the Southeastern Conference for an elite college defense, is a willing and hard-nosed tackler.
Lassiter is emblematic of what Texans coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio want from their entire rookie class, which includes safety Calen Bullock, a talented third-round draft pick from USC. Caserio hit big-time on both draft picks and former Southeastern Conference standouts.
Selected 42nd overall and signed to a four-year, $9.014 million contract that includes a $3.376 million signing bonus, Lassiter has lived up to high expectations.
“It was really cool to see Kamari, the work that he’s putting in, really cool to see him reap the benefits of that,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said after the Chicago game. “Getting a pick is a matter of not just him, but it’s the rush, speeding up the quarterback and it’s Kamari having really good hands. That was a difficult catch to make as well. So, it was a really nice play by him.
“Man, credit to him. The kid has been consistent. I talk about it all the time. He’s been consistent where he needs to be every single play and he doesn’t press to make plays. Some guys get in the spot and they try to press to make a play, make a play and then you end up putting yourself in a bad position. He’s in the right position all the time and he benefitted from being able to make a pick.”
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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
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