Tim Settle Bio
Tim Settle Jr. (born July 11, 1997) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 142 kilograms, he plays the interior of the defensive line, where he is valued for his run-stopping power and his ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. After playing college football at Virginia Tech, Settle was chosen in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft and has since developed into a steady contributor on multiple defenses.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Settle built his football foundation in Virginia before launching an NFL journey that has carried him through Washington, Buffalo, and now Houston. His progression from promising rookie to established rotation piece reflects steady improvement, durability, and a willingness to take on larger roles as his career has matured.
Early Life and Background
Tim Settle Jr. was born on July 11, 1997, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He later grew up in the Manassas area of Virginia, where he attended Stonewall Jackson High School and played for the Raiders football program. Those surroundings helped shape a young lineman with a frame suited for the trenches and an early appetite for contact.
As a senior at Stonewall Jackson, Settle posted 72 tackles, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, and 10 pass deflections, numbers that turned him into one of the country’s most talked-about interior prospects. He was rated as a five-star recruit and drew scholarship offers from major programs, including Louisville and USC, before announcing in January 2015 that he would continue his football career at Virginia Tech.
Path to American Football
Settle arrived at Virginia Tech in 2015 and spent that first season learning the program under head coach Frank Beamer while preserving a year of eligibility by redshirting. That decision gave him time to add size, refine his technique, and adjust to the speed of the college game without burning a season of play.
His development accelerated under Justin Fuente, who took over as head coach, and Settle began to make his mark as a redshirt freshman in 2016, appearing in all 14 games for the Hokies. That production earned him ACC All-Freshman Second-Team honors and set the stage for a more prominent sophomore role.
Tim Settle Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Settle redshirted during the 2015 season, saving his eligibility while adding the strength needed to face ACC offensive linemen. When he finally stepped onto the field as a redshirt freshman in 2016, he delivered 17 tackles with seven tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, and a blocked kick, enough to earn ACC All-Freshman Second-Team recognition.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2017, he raised his profile further by playing in 13 games and recording 36 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, one pass deflection, two quarterback hurries, and a blocked kick. The performance earned him Second-Team All-ACC honors, and on January 4, 2018, Settle announced that he would forgo his remaining two years of college eligibility and enter the NFL Draft.
Washington Redskins Era (2018–2021)
Tim Settle Jr. was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round, 163rd overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft. He made his professional debut in Washington’s season-opening 24–6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals and gradually earned a larger role on the defensive interior as his rookie year progressed. By Week 12 of that debut season, against the Dallas Cowboys, he had recorded the first three tackles of his NFL career.
Settle’s development continued in 2019, when he notched his first NFL start in a Week 2 loss to Dallas. He later recorded his first career sack in Week 5 against New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, a milestone that announced his arrival as an inside pass-rusher. The 2020 campaign proved his most productive in Washington, as he set a then-career high with five sacks, a total that ranked fourth on the team. He was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list in December 2021 before being reactivated the following week, finishing his Washington tenure as a dependable rotation piece along the defensive line.
Buffalo Bills Era (2022–2023)
On March 17, 2022, Settle signed a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, joining a defensive front that was considered one of the league’s most talented. In his first season in Buffalo, he appeared in regular duty and contributed one sack, 19 tackles, one pass defended, and one forced fumble, helping the Bills remain a force against the run.
The 2023 season saw Settle continue in a complementary role, finishing the year with one sack and 14 tackles while maintaining a presence on early downs. His time in Buffalo allowed him to refine his conditioning and technique within a winning organization before he reached free agency.
Houston Texans Era (2024–Present)
On March 15, 2024, Settle signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans, bringing veteran experience to a young and ascending defensive line. In 17 appearances, including 11 starts, he registered five sacks and 31 tackles, quickly establishing himself as a core piece of the Texans’ defensive front.
Settle entered the 2025 campaign as one of Houston’s starting defensive tackles, recording one sack, three pass deflections, and 15 combined tackles across 12 games. On December 4, 2025, it was announced that he would require season-ending surgery to address a foot injury, bringing his regular season to a close as the Texans continued their push.
Driving Style and Strengths
Settle is known for his compact frame, low pad level, and powerful hands that help him anchor against the run. He has shown growth as an interior pass-rusher, using quick first steps and leverage to collapse pockets, while his awareness in zone coverage has improved during his time in Buffalo and Houston.
Notable Events and Milestones
Settle’s first NFL sack against Tom Brady in 2019 remains a career highlight, as does his five-sack season with Washington in 2020, which established him as a credible inside rusher. More recently, his 11 starts and five sacks during the 2024 season with the Texans marked a new high in responsibility for the veteran lineman.
Tim Settle Career Wins
Tim Settle Jr. has built a steady professional resume since entering the NFL in 2018, contributing as a rotational and starting defensive tackle across three organizations. His career is highlighted by a five-sack 2020 season in Washington, a productive stint with the Buffalo Bills, and a contract with the Houston Texans where he became a starter.
Houston Texans Highlights
In his first season with Houston in 2024, Settle produced five sacks and 31 tackles across 17 appearances with 11 starts, immediately becoming a fixture on the Texans’ defensive line. He carried that form into 2025 before a foot injury ended his regular season in December.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his NFL accomplishments, Settle was a Second-Team All-Freshman ACC selection in 2016 and a Second-Team All-ACC honoree in 2017, recognition that helped position him as a top NFL prospect out of Virginia Tech.
Tim Settle Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Tim Settle Jr.’s immediate family are limited. He is widely identified by the suffix Jr., indicating he shares his name with his father, though further specifics about his parents or siblings have not been publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Settle has generally kept his personal life private, with no confirmed public details about a spouse or children. His focus has remained on his football career, with his time split between training, team commitments, and community work associated with his NFL organizations.
2025 Season Performance
Tim Settle Jr. entered the 2025 season as one of Houston’s starting defensive tackles and quickly delivered on the promise he had shown in 2024. Across the first 12 games, he contributed one sack, three pass deflections, and 15 combined tackles, helping anchor a Texans defensive front that remained competitive in the AFC playoff picture.
His impact, however, was interrupted on December 4, 2025, when the team announced he would require season-ending surgery to repair a foot injury. The injury cut short a campaign in which he had grown into a clear veteran leader for a young Houston defensive line.
Looking beyond 2025, Settle remains under contract with the Texans through 2026, and his recovery will be a key storyline as Houston plans its defensive rotation. If he returns to full health, he is positioned to remain a starter and a central figure in the team’s interior defensive plans.