Texans at Ravens VIDEO: QB C.J. Stroud 1st Career Pass is To ... Himself!

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud was doing everything possible to make sure he was ready for the Houston Texans' season opener against the Ravens.

Coach DeMeco Ryans ended the quarterback competition immediately after the Houston Texans preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 27. Ryans anointed C.J. Stroud as the Texans' starting quarterback for their Week 1 contest against the Baltimore Ravens.

On the heels of the initial announcement, Stroud talked cautiously about his readiness to take the helm as the Texans' starting quarterback.

"It’s going to take time — I think you only know until you know," Stroud said. "I think I’m doing everything, or at least I’m trying to do everything the right way to be able to be ready. That’s what football is about. It’s about those uncertainties and lining up against guys who are great as well, which I’m excited to do."

And on his first "time''? Shortly after kickoff in Baltimore, Stroud completed his first-ever pass ... to himself!

CJ Stroud's first career NFL pass was to himself 😅pic.twitter.com/neqhKzf43W

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) September 10, 2023

It was about Ravens pressure of course, and hopefully it ends up being a goofy footnote to a great NFL career.

Coming in, Stroud described the Ravens as a "great first test." And ahead of his first appearance in Baltimore, he continued to spend extra time watching film while taking advantage of "game-like" reps during practice. 

The official announcement of Stroud taking the helm as Houston's full-time starter wasn't a surprise. He had taken all first-team reps since Day 7 of training camp while starting in each of the Texans' exhibition games. 

"It's all about execution," Stroud said. "Whatever happens, I know that I've worked really hard to get to where I am now. I’m excited to just keep going. But right now, my focus is to do everything to be a successful offense on Sunday."