C.J. Stroud's Shoulder Injury Doesn't Concern Texans HC, QB Will Be 'Good to Go'

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says he has "no concerns" about the shoulder soreness that has limited quarterback C.J. Stroud during OTAs.

"It's just general soreness," Ryans said Tuesday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "We're taking extra precaution with him, but he'll be good to go. No concerns on my end there.”

Stroud did not throw during Tuesday's OTAs due to the shoulder issue, per per ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime.

KPRC2's Aaron Wilson reported that Stroud has specifically been dealing with "shoulder muscle tightness."

Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley also told reporters on Friday that he has "no concerns whatsoever" about Stroud's shoulder.

"Being out here, he's involved in all the communication," Caley said. "He's out here, he's tapped into it. So, I've been very pleased when he's out here."

Backup quarterback Davis Mills has been working with the Texans' first- and second-team offense while Stroud is limited, while Kedon Slovis works with the third team, per Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle.

The Texans will want to get Stroud back as soon as possible in order to help him develop chemistry with the new receivers joining Nico Collins, including veteran wideout Christian Kirk and draft picks Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.

The team will also want to be cautious in managing Stroud's soreness. The quarterback has a history of shoulder issues dating back to his college career, when he suffered a separated AC joint in Ohio State's 2021 season opener.

He then suffered what he told reporters was a similar injury early in his rookie 2023 campaign with the Texans.

After winning an Offensive Rookie of the Year award for his 2023 campaign, Stroud saw his passing accuracy dip during his second NFL season. Making sure he has time to fully recover from his shoulder soreness will be key for the Texans in helping Stroud get his production back up this fall.