‘Watch Out!’ Texans 0-2 - But QB C.J. Stroud Reveals Optimism

C.J. Stroud is 0-2 as the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans, but the rookie from Ohio State remains optimistic.

HOUSTON — C.J. Stroud was not happy to lose his second consecutive game as the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans. But he remains optimistic about the team's future.

"I'm excited," Stroud said. "Once we play together as a team, watch out. I definitely think this team is ready to win, and we've just got to put it together – offense, defense, special teams coming together as one. I'm excited."

The Texans on Sunday lost 31-20 to the Indianapolis Colts and ... Fans are frustrated by Houston's 0-2 start to the 2023 season.

But should you share the same sentiment as the rookie QB?

Stroud put together a fairly impressive game for the second straight week, finishing the day completing 63.8 percent of his passes for 384 yards and two touchdowns. He overcame several unfavorable circumstances during his performance against the Colts.

Houston's offensive line was missing four of their five projected starters, which led to half-a-dozen sacks on Stroud. The Texans' offense failed to generate any production from their rushing attack by accumulating 52 yards on 26 carries.  

What made Stroud optimistic was the fight he and his team displayed. The Texans battled back from a 21-point deficit midway through the third quarter. And if not for a holding penalty that erased Stroud's first touchdown pass to rookie Tank Dell, Houston may have completed an improbable comeback.

But the most significant obstacle Stroud faced was a battle against himself. Leading up to the Texans' home opener, Stroud sustained a shoulder injury earlier in the week.

He did not share any specifics about when the injury occurred. However, Stroud said he spent the previous three days rehabilitating his wounded shoulder.

Stroud played through pain. But a minor impaired shoulder did not stop him from becoming the first quarterback from Ohio State to throw for over 380 yards in an NFL game. 

He also finished the day with the second-most passing yards in franchise history by a rookie, trailing Deshaun Watson, who threw for 402 yards in 2017.

"C.J. is a competitor, and he shows that," coach DeMeco Ryans said. "He continues to fight no matter what odds are stacked up against him, no matter who's in front of him. It doesn't matter. He has a winning mindset. Now, we need everybody around him to continue to have that winning mindset and go play winning football, and that's when things will get better for us."

Stroud and the Texans are confident his injured shoulder will not be an issue. So, moving forward, his focus is to continue to demonstrate his progression on a week-to-week basis. 

When reflecting on his debut against the Baltimore Ravens, Stroud felt he had taken an immense step from operating in and out of the huddle to understanding clock management.

The outcome led to the Texans achieving their goal of playing at a faster pace with better offensive execution.

"I think this is something Will [fellow rookie Anderson Jr.] says all the time, but it's just chopping wood," Stroud said. "I know it's probably a simple term, but it means just showing up every day. …

"When you show up every day with the mindset, DeMeco talks about it all the time, just a winning, deliberate aggression every day. I think that's what makes a pro is when you can do that religiously and to the best of your ability."

Stroud threw his first career touchdown pass to wide receiver Nico Collins. He later helped the Texans cut into the Colts' huge lead by connecting with Dell for the second time in the end zone. 

A holding penalty did not interfere with the rookie-to-rookie connection the second time around. Dell completed a 23-yard touchdown pass from Stroud with 9:48 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Stroud helped Collins and Dell reach career milestones in the loss to the Colts. Collins recorded a career-best 146 yards on seven catches, while Dell added 72 yards on seven receptions.

Starting his career winless is not what Stroud envisioned when the Texans selected him with the No. 2 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft in April. But taking over a franchise that has not won a home game since December 2021, Stroud understands the challenges in his first season will not be easy.

Stroud hopes his next start Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars will result in his first career victory.

"There's light at the end of the tunnel,' Stroud said. "I think there's hope. I think we showed … that we're going to fight, and we're not just going to turn around and lay down just because the score flips early. We're going to keep fighting till the end."