HOUSTON -- It's been nearly two months since Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins rumbled into the end zone to punctuate one of the most memorable moments in the franchise's regular season history.
Whenever the Texans' season ends, their turnaround will be traced to the 19-point comeback against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 9.
The big highlight from that game was backup quarterback Davis Mills scrambling 14 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of the game.
But it was punctuated by Will Anderson Jr. strip-sacking Trevor Lawrence on the Jaguars' last-ditch effort to salvage the game. Rankins caught the fumble and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown, sealing the improbable comeback.
It seemed fitting, given Rankins' knack for being at the right place at the right time, his understanding of the game and the leadership his return to the team provides.
Rankins played for the Texans in 2023, but spent 2024 with the Cincinnati Bengals. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans talked earlier this week about it being a priority to bring Rankins back, which Houston was able to accomplish this offseason with a one-year, $7 million deal.
The 10th-year pro had already mastered a similar scheme when he worked with current Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke as members of the New York Jets.
It's Rankins' experience, understanding and success with the defense that lends him so much credibility with his peers.
Burke this week called Rankins' insight "invaluable" to the defensive line room.
"That sort of lineage of his time in this front, in this system, a really well-respected, very, I'm going to say this lightly, cerebral approach for a defensive tackle," Burke said of Rankins. "Sometimes that's unusual. I'll say it that way. But I always really enjoy talking to him on the sideline, coming off post-series and the interaction. He just sees the game. He's very aware, can communicate what's happening, has those conversations and I think that permeates through the defensive line room as well.
"Those guys, a lot of respect. His word carries a lot of weight in that room because of his experience, because of how he sees it. He can communicate really well, does a really good job of setting up our games, understanding tendencies and everything that's going on in the game. He's really in lockstep with everything that's going on. So, I think [he] has a lot of weight with everything he says and does."
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It reflects what Ryans mentioned about the entire defense looking to Rankins for his leadership, along with middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who similar Rankins played in the same system, but under Ryans with the San Francisco 49ers.
“Bringing Sheldon back was a really high priority for us," Ryans said. "I really hated to lose Sheldon when we lost him in my second year here. We were trying our best to keep him. I hated to see him go, but everything happens for a reason. It's very important to get him back and we were able to do that, thankful that he was willing and able to come back. He provides a ton of leadership for our room, especially the defensive line room, but the defense in general.
"Those guys look up to Sheldon as a veteran player who's done it at a high level. Guys listen when he talks and he brings really great chemistry to that entire room, putting it all together. He does a really good job of communicating out on the field. I think he's playing really well this year. He hasn't gotten a ton of credit, but he is definitely one of the key reasons why the guys have played well defensively because of his play on the interior. More specifically on passing downs, he's done a great job as well."