Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre suffered a scary injury during Week 1’s 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Pitre was hospitalized after suffering a bruised lung. He got hurt when Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson inadvertently kneed him in the chest.
While Pitre should be OK, he might get held overnight for further evaluation as a precaution.
#Texans safety Jalen Pitre was taken to a local hospital after suffering a bruised lung when Lamar Jackson’s knee hit his chest during today’s loss to the #Ravens, per sources.
The good news is Pitre should be OK, though he may stay overnight for observation. pic.twitter.com/XG3Vra44pB
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 10, 2023
According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, Pitre was coughing up blood at one point.
#Texans safety Jalen Pitre suffered a bruised lung, per a league source. Was coughing up blood at one point, may remain overnight in Baltimore as a precautionary measure @KPRC2 https://t.co/BEY6olEvJN https://t.co/x1GA8MB5lm
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 10, 2023
Selected with the No. 37 pick last year, Pitre quickly emerged as a bright spot in Houston. He finished fifth in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting with 147 tackles, five interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a sack.
Teammates voted Pitre as one of four captains to open the 2023 season alongside fellow safety Jimmie Ward, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
“It meant the world to me,” Pitre said, via Wilson. “I go out every day thinking about the team, just trying to help the team as much as possible. It’s huge. To be able to vote me in, I take that job very seriously. When I wake up every morning, I’m thinking about it.”
Pitre began the season with two tackles and a quarterback hit. The Texans contained the Ravens to just 265 total yards but allowed three rushing touchdowns in DeMeco Ryans’ head-coaching debut.
It’s unclear if Pitre will be available for a Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts.