Texans not worried about C.J. Stroud's sore shoulder, Ryans says - ESPN

HOUSTON — Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday he has «no concerns» about quarterback C.J. Stroud's limited throwing during spring practices due to «general soreness» in his shoulder.

The Texans opened OTAs on May 28th and Stroud hasn't thrown passes during any of the media's watching periods. The most Stroud has done with the starting offense is execute handoffs to running backs during 11-on-11 walk-throughs.

But Ryans isn't worried about the progression of his quarterback.

«There's no concerns with C.J.,» Ryans said following the Texans' fifth OTA practice. «It's just general soreness. We are taking extra precaution with him. He'll be good to go. No concerns on my end.»

When Ryans was asked if Stroud would throw during the Texans' mandatory minicamp next week, he didn't provide clarity and declined to answer if his Pro Bowl quarterback had any offseason treatment done on his throwing shoulder.

«When he's ready to go, he'll be ready to go,» Ryans said.

Stroud is coming off a season where he took a beating in the pocket as he was sacked 52 times, second most in the NFL, and was pressured on 38.6% of his dropbacks (second most), according to Next Gen Stats.

The Kansas City Chiefs pummeled Stroud in the Texans' playoff loss. He was sacked eight times and pressured on 56% of his dropbacks — the second highest in an NFL playoff game since ESPN began tracking pressure rates in 2009, trailing only former Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (63%) in 2011.

To fix that problem the Texans overhauled the pass protection. Houston traded Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders for draft picks. Left guard Kenyon Green was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson while right guard