As Jerry Hughes smashed into Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis, the impact of the hit caused the football to pop loose and started bouncing on the ground.
Ready to pounce on the fumble: veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.
Rankins scooped the football up and adeptly scooted 13 yards into the end zone.
Putting an exclamation point on the first touchdown of his NFL career, Rankins celebrated his first score since his senior year at Louisville with a fun shoulder shimmy dance in the end zone Sunday during the Texans’ 26-3 blowout victory at NRG Stadium.
“Kind of a surreal moment,” Rankins said. “I’m kind of looking around, looking to teammates and hoping there’s no flags. Once I settled in, I’m like, ‘Oh, shimmy. You’ve got to shimmy.’ That’s what I do. So, I was happy to be able to come up with that big play for us in a big game.”
It was a huge play by Hughes in his 14th NFL season and Rankins, a former New Orleans Saints first-round draft pick signed to a one-year, $10.25 million contract during free agency.
It marked the Texans’ first defensive touchdown of the season, the first under coach DeMeco Ryans.
Rankins has recorded six sacks, 36 tackles, nine tackles for losses and 10 quarterback hits.
“Rankins, another big day,” Ryans said. “Jerry has continued to play better each and every week. For him to get the sack there, and Rankins to scoop and score, one of the best plays in football. Happy to finally get a defensive touchdown. It all starts up front with our defensive line.
“When we play well, they play well. They’re the driving force for our defense. When they’re playing well, we have a really good chance to win games.”
Rankins was on the spot. His alert reaction led to points for the Texans.
“As D-linemen, you don’t necessarily prepare for those,” Rankins said. “I mean, you prepare for them, but you just never really think they’re going to be there. Just happened to be rushing, won my rush, thought I was going to get there for the sack, and then Jerry comes out of nowhere, knocks the ball out of his hands, and I’m just trying to find the ball and get into the end zone. Big play for us, glad I could make that.
“First thing I’m thinking is I’m hoping no one is behind me from the Titans to tackle me because that would be embarrassing. I grabbed it and get into the end zone as fast as I can. I wish I had more yards to run to get that GPS tracker up, get the speed up. I’ll take the touchdown any way it comes.”
The Texans are 9-7 and assured of a winning record for the first time since the 2019 season. Another win Saturday night over the Indianapolis Colts assures them of their first playoff berth since that season.
“Guys are locked in, guys are playing together,” Rankins said. “It’s about execution. You’ve got a room full of guys with a sense of urgency. All you can ask for a in this league is an opportunity. We understand what’s at stake, understanding the magnitude of it and not making it bigger than what it is.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.
Photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images