July is almost over as the Houston Texans continue with thesecond week of their 2025 training camp. The first week of action helped the Texans' offseason addition — whether via trade, free agency, or the NFL draft — acclimate to head coach DeMeco Ryans' system, and that includes veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.
Signed to aone-year contract worth up to $7 million back in March, Rankins is back on Houston's defensive line after spending the 2023 season with the Texans. He was with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024; however, his season was marred by injuries that limited him to seven appearances.
Fortunately, it looks like those issues are behind him as Rankins dons the Texans uniform once again.
Texans DT Sheldon Rankins 'Feels Great' After Missing 10 Games in 2024
On Monday afternoon, Rankins admitted to reporters that he "wasn't myself last year" due to his dealing with "viral meningitis and shingles at the same time,"according to KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson. Although the simultaneous ailments caused him to lose "nearly 50 pounds," the veteran DT feels like he's officially in the clear.
"I feel great now," Rankins said in an encouraging medical update.
'I wasn't myself last year'#TexansSheldon Rankins shares his battle last year while with#Bengalswith viral meningitis and shingles at same time, lost nearly 50 pounds at one point. 'I feel great now'@KPRC2pic.twitter.com/PyAD4Kp58J
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL)July 28, 2025
Viral meningitis and shingles are terrible on their own, so the fact that Rankins dealt with both at the same time is brutal. It's fantastic news that he's fully recovered and has regained weight, not only because the Texans need him to make an impact, but also so that he can live a comfortable life.
Drafted 12th overall by the New Orleans Saints in 2016, Rankins spent five seasons in the Big Easy and another two with the New York Jets before signing with the Texans in 2023. He went on to rack up 29 solo tackles, 6.0 sacks, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in 15 games, as well as acareer-best 74.7Pro Football Focuspass rush grade.
Rankins left Houston to sign a two-year contract with Cincinnati in free agency, which clearly didn't go as planned. The former Louisville Cardinal still managed to tally 10 solo tackles and a sack in the seven games he was healthy enough to play in; however, his 55.3 defense, 32.9 tackling, and 58.9 pass rushPFFgrades all left much to be desired.
If he can stay healthy, Texans fans wouldn't mind Rankins potentially replicating his 2023 results next season. He's currently behind Tim Settle Jr. andFolorunso Fatukasion the depth chart, but Fatukasi beingplaced on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list last weekcould open the door for Rankins to steal a bigger role.
As training camp continues, Texans fans will closely monitor Rankins to see if he has what it takes to step up and lead by example.
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