CJ Stroud Not Throwing At OTA’s Is Causing Major Concern Among Texans’ Med Staff

Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis (56) during the fourth quarter of a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Houston Texans are facing a situation that could warrant a closer look: C.J. Stroud’s shoulder soreness has kept him sidelined during OTAs. As head coach DeMeco Ryans reassured fans, there’s no need for alarm—he expects Stroud to be back in action when the time comes.

Stroud is undeniably the driving force behind this Texans team. With a bolstered receiving corps and an offensive line that’s looking to improve, the hope is to see him revert to his impressive rookie form, where he passed for over 4,100 yards. Last season, he faced challenges that stemmed partly from those offensive line struggles, which hindered his ability to meet the lofty preseason expectations set for him.

However, returning to that high level of performance hinges on Stroud being fully healthy. While the team is projecting confidence in his readiness, the implications of his shoulder issue are worth monitoring. Notably, sports analyst Trey Wingo has suggested that there might be more to the story, implying that this shoulder concern could be cause for greater scrutiny. His critique highlights the fact that Stroud hasn’t suited up for a game in about six months, raising questions about whether this soreness is merely a minor setback or something more significant.

Despite Wingo’s perspective, it’s important for fans to consider Ryans’ reassurances. Stroud has played all 17 games last season and was robust enough to take the field for 15 as a rookie. His track record indicates that he isn’t injury-prone, so there’s reason to believe he’ll be ready to roll when the season kicks off. In the end, while it’s wise to keep an eye on his recovery, optimism should prevail as the Texans look to build on their future with Stroud at the helm.