Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryan expressed no worries on Tuesday regarding quarterback CJ Stroud’s limited throwing during spring practices, attributing it to general shoulder discomfort. The Texans began their Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on May 28, but Stroud refrained from throwing passes in front of the media, only handing off the ball during an 11-on-11 walkthrough. Despite this, Ryan reassured fans that Stroud’s progress remains on track.
“There’s no concern with CJ,” Ryan said after the team’s fifth OTA session. “It’s just general pain. We’ve taken special precautions, and he’s ready to go. There’s no reason for concern from my perspective.”
When questioned about whether Stroud would throw during the upcoming mandatory mini-camp, Ryan gave a non-committal response, also declining to comment on any offseason treatment for Stroud’s throwing shoulder. “If he’s ready, he’ll be ready,” Ryan added.
Stroud ended last season often under pressure, facing pressure on 38.6% of his dropbacks—the second highest in the NFL—and was sacked 52 times. During a playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he was pressured on 56% of dropbacks and sacked eight times, marking one of the highest pressure rates in NFL playoff history tracked by ESPN.
To address these issues, the Texans have revamped their pass protection. They traded Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders and left guard Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, right guard Shaq Mason was released. Houston brought in left tackle Cam Robinson, swing tackle Trent Brown, left guard Ed Ingram via trade, and drafted left tackle Aerer Alley. Their tackle group also includes Howard, Blake Fisher, and Robinson.
Ryan also made coaching staff changes to bolster protection around Stroud, replacing offensive line coach Chris Strauser with assistant line coach Cole Popovich and swapping offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik for former Rams tight end and passing game coordinator Nick Sirianni.
With these adjustments, the Texans aim to provide stronger protection for Stroud, helping the team overcome previous playoff hurdles and reach the divisional round for the first time in franchise history.
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Fan Take: This update is crucial for NFL fans as it highlights the Texans’ commitment to protecting a promising young quarterback, which could significantly impact the team’s future success. Strengthening their offensive line and coaching staff shows a clear intent to elevate the Texans in a competitive league, potentially reshaping their trajectory in the coming seasons.
