Former Super Bowl Champion Reveals 'Red Flags' Surrounding Texans, CJ Stroud Before Season
Former Super Bowl Champion Reveals 'Red Flags' Surrounding Texans, CJ Stroud Before Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
After a 2024 season that saw the Houston Texans win their second straight AFC South title, head coach DeMeco Ryans will look to take on mini-camp in pursuit of getting over the Divisional Round hump.
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Houston decided to move on from left tackle Laremy Tunsil, trading him to the Washington Commanders for draft compensation. But they were able to add some other depth in trades for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and wide receiver Christian Kirk.
Although the Texans have been making moves, there are concerns around the health status of quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Stroud went into offseason workouts in recent weeks with shoulder soreness, and it's kept him from throwing in offseason programs.
As the league continues to increase workouts, and mini-camp begins on Monday, Stroud has started to practice more, but in a limited fashion. This has raised some concerns from insiders.
CJ Stroud at a Texans practice.Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Damien Woody comments on concerning injury to C.J. Stroud
On NFL Live on Monday, insider Damien Woody spoke on the concerning status of Texans' quarterback C.J. Stroud.
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"They haven't played a game since January, and your quarterback is not throwing in the offseason – no contact? To me that's red flags everywhere."
"When you combine what you see from Houston, as far as the quarterback not throwing – they've got issues along the offensive line... This situation in Houston, offensively, worries me," Woody said.
Stroud and the Texans haven't played since losing in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Jan. 18. Nearly five months later, Stroud is either still feeling sore from that game or he came down with an injury he sustained during the offseason.
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Whether the shoulder soreness is seen as a problem for head coach DeMeco Ryans or not, it will be something that will be monitored moving forward.
The Texans begin the 2025 preseason on August 9 as they take on the Minnesota Vikings.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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