Texans head coach wishes veteran CB Ronald Darby 'the best' following retirement

USA Today

3 days ago

Texans head coach wishes veteran CB Ronald Darby 'the best' following retirement
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans remembers when his body told him it was time to hang up the cleats. It's a challenging call, but one that every player eventually must make.
Veteran cornerback Ronald Darby made that decision Monday morning, announcing that after 10 seasons, he was calling it a career. Ryans, who played 10 seasons with the Texans and Philadelphia Eagles, understood this was a call that could have been made and wished the former defensive back a prosperous next step in life.
"It's a very difficult time to step away from the game that you love, whenever that decision comes," Ryans said. "Whether it's voluntary or it's your body saying you can't do it, it's difficult because you've done it for such a long time. And I don't take that decision lightly.'
A 2015 second-round pick out of Florida State, Darby spent a decade playing with multiple teams as a fringe starter and No. 2 cornerback. Drafted by the Buffalo Bills, he also played for the Eagles, Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Last season in 13 games with Jacksonville, he totaled 46 tackles, three for losses and nine pass deflections. He signed a one-year deal worth $2.5 million this offseason and was expected to take over for Jeff Okudah as the veteran No. 3 defensive back.
While the Texans like their starting talent in All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. and breakout rookie Kamari Lassiter, their depth will take a toll. Houston drafted the versatile USC defensive back Jaylin Smith in the third round and could shift him around the field as a do-it-all player, including seeing reps at safety.
"That was definitely something that appealed to us about him from the draft process standpoint," Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said last week. "He's been doing a good job working and trying to absorb everything we're throwing at him. We will see how that plays out.'
As for replacing the "veteran impact" at the position, Ryans said they will try and fill the position with either someone on the market or potentially a player who has been cut between now and Week 1.
"Whoever it may be, we'll look to add a guy," Ryans said.
Several names on the market in former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, do-it-all defensive back Rasul Douglas, Kendall Fuller, James Bradberry and Caleb Farley.