Texans Training Camp Notebook: Where's C.J. Stroud Need to Improve?

Ahead of his second consecutive start for the Houston Texans, there is one quarterback attribute C.J. Stroud needs to focus on Saturday against the Dolphins.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are taking their time determining which quarterback will start Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. 

But with the start of the 2023 season less than a month away, it appears C.J. Stroud is likely to get the go-ahead.

Following Day 16 of training camp at the Houston Methodist Training Center, coach DeMeco Ryans announced Stroud as the Texans' starting quarterback for their preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, marking the second consecutive start for the rookie prospect out of Ohio State. 

"With our game this week, we’ll play all our players," Ryans said. "All of our players will see time in the game and that’s how we’ll go about it. C.J. will go out first, again, as he did last week. We’ll adjust the game as it goes along.” 

Ryans did not disclose how many snaps Stroud will take against the Dolphins. But each moment will allow him to get accommodated to Bobby Slowik's offense in real-time. 

Running back Dameon Pierce said Stroud has done a great job learning the playbook. But as a rookie quarterback, Stroud needs to improve his play-calling. Pierce said there were moments during camp where Stroud would become tongue-tied calling out plays.

"Right now, he’s working — that’s one thing I can say about C.J. – he’s working every day to get in that playbook, getting those calls out," Pierce said. 

"We’re working on the little things. Ultimately take some of that pressure off of C.J. in the huddle. The better we are as an offense – the less pressure that’s going to be on him – the [cleaner] things are going to look."

Mike McDaniel sees the Ryans blueprint: Coach Mike McDaniel had an idea of what to expect from the Texans leading up to their joint practices. He watched the Texans' preseason win over the New England Patriots and noticed how Houston has taken on Ryans' characteristics.

The offense had several successful drives against Vic Fangio's defensive scheme, while the defense remained aggressive.

Thursday morning, Derek Stingley Jr. added to the defense's takeaway count with his second interception of camp. He picked off quarterback Mike White's pass attempt to wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Following Stingley's interception, Desmond King recorded a pick on quarterback Skylar Thompson. 

It's a 180 from the team McDaniel saw last November at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins sent the Texans to their sixth consecutive loss with a 30-15 defeat. 

Whether against the Patriots or joint practices, McDaniel said the Texans play with a lot of energy and a passion that mirrors Ryans' playing days as a rookie linebacker.

"I told DeMeco that it was really cool to see a group of guys competing, putting some good stuff on tape," McDaniel said. "They play hard. That kind of stuff happens with a relentless day-to-day approach. It's a cool beginning to his coaching tenure.

"Ryans was such an impressive dude as a young rookie. He was the quarterback of the defense. He had a unique reset after internal combustion when he messed something up, he'd literally implode and then move onto the next snap."

QUICK HITS

• Texans Linebacker Blake Cashman missed his second consecutive practice Thursday morning. According to the Houston Chronicle, Cashman is dealing with a tweaked hamstring. He will not play in Saturday's preseason game against the Dolphins.

• During 11-on-11, Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead went down with an apparent leg injury. A few plays later, defensive tackle Brandon Pili went down with an injury. Both players did not return to practice. Armstead left the facility on crutches.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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