Texans GM Nick Caserio downplays C.J. Stroud's shoulder injury, stating team was 'careful'

USA Today

17 hours ago

Texans GM Nick Caserio downplays C.J. Stroud's shoulder injury, stating team was 'careful'
Everyone has a thought on Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud's shoulder issue that kept him out through the first six days of voluntary OTA workouts, including general manager Nick Caserio.
The difference between the GM and the folks on ESPN is that one is looking for offseason content. The other knows it's nothing more than a bunch of mumbo jumbo.
"Honestly, it was much ado about nothing," Caserio said in a Thursday morning appearance on SportsRadio 610's Payne & Pendergast. "In the spring, we're just trying to make good, smart decisions.just manage the player as we see fit. In the end, the focus is on getting him ready for training camp. He had a good attitude when he was in the building. He obviously trained and worked on his body and his overall strength development which that's what the offseason program is usually for."
Stroud, who enters a crucial Year 3 as the face of the franchise, threw the final two days of Texans' minicamp at a limited capacity. Speaking after Tuesday's workout, the Pro Bowl quarterback said he spent the offseason aiming to lose body fat, gain muscle and get faster and stronger.
"I was already throwing before you guys got to see me out there, pretty normally, I think y'all don't have much to talk about so everything is blown up," Stroud said after practice.
The Texans were simply being cautious with Stroud's role this offseason after being sacked 52 times during the 2024 season. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans and new offensive coordinator downplayed the injury, stating he'd be good to go for the start of the regular season.
"It's important for me to just make sure we're protecting him," Ryans said. "To make sure we know what's best for C.J. and not really worry about the outside opinions. Nobody knows the information about our players more than me."
Caserio offered a similar sentiment surrounding the status of his franchise signal-caller, stating that while he might be limited in reps, that doesn't mean he's slacking on work around the building in other areas.
"Going back to February through March even before the offseason program we had a number of players who were here. Early on, in February or March, it might be a combination of in the building, out of the building but you know they are getting in work. C.J., when he does leave Houston, he goes off to California where he has some resources and some people he utilizes out there at UCLA where he can actually get his work in," Caserio said.
The Texans open the regular season on the road at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 7.