DeMeco Ryans Says Injuries Are No Excuse

With a league-high 17 players on injured reserve, the Houston Texans are not interested in using that as an excuse according to coach DeMeco Ryans.

The Houston Texans (7-6) are right in the thick of things in the AFC Playoffs race but are also winning the race to have the most players land on injured reserve this season.

With an NFL-high 17 players currently on reserved status the Texans have lost plenty of players in a season where many didn't expect them to win even half the amount of games won already.

Despite that fact, and with Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud in concussion protocol, coach DeMeco Ryans isn't interested in talking about the injury trend on his team as a potential excuse for why it might fall short of its goals. 

“For me, with the players that we have injured, it hasn’t affected what we do one bit. I truly – I never make excuses about it because I truly believe injuries happen to every team," Ryans said. "We’ve had a few – probably a few more than others – it doesn’t matter. We line up on Sunday with whoever we have, and everybody go out and play your best."

Trainers move an injured Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) two the cart as he injured himself on a touchdown play against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

In the Texans' Week 13 win over the Denver Broncos they lost rookie receiver Tank Dell for the season to add to the long list of lost players.

Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik described the injury as, "gut-wrenching," pointing out how important Dell's surprise rookie performances have been to the team's success this season.

'That One Hurts a Lot': Bobby Slowik Shares Thoughts on Tank Dell Injury

So too has Stroud who fortunately isn't on the injured reserve, but is at risk of missing Week 15's road test against the Tennessee Titans (5-8).

If Stroud can't go on Sunday then Ryans and Slowik will have to decide between backup quarterbacks Davis Mills and veteran Case Keenum.

"It happens every year to every team across the league. You lose good players," Ryans said. "But it’s all about how you respond to it and not just allowing that to affect you – not to sulk about the injuries. It’s just a matter of responding the right way – everybody picking up the slack and moving forward.”

Mills is listed as the team's backup quarterback and came in for relief duty after Stroud was knocked out against the New York Jets (5-8) in last week's loss.