Texans ‘Have To Protect’ QB C.J. Stroud - Coach DeMeco Ryans

After playing his first game under fire, Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans knows his team has to protect quarterback C.J. Stroud better.

The Houston Texans lost their first game of the season, and it wasn't a huge surprise given that most experts picked them to lose while visiting the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.

Still, a 25-9 loss was not a warm welcome to the NFL for Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud who was sacked five times and under fire for much of the game. 

Something Houston coach DeMeco Ryans wants to see changed in Week 2 and beyond.

"When it comes to the quarterback being hit, we don't want our quarterback hit as much. We have to be better," Ryans said. "I think overall, as a group in protection, just how are we helping? I thought we had some really good snaps [in] protection at times, but it's just being more consistent in our protection [and] in our pickups."

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According to Pro Football Focus stat tracking Stroud took 16 of his 49 official dropbacks under pressure and was one of just nine NFL quarterbacks to face 15 or more. 

No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers faced 18, and New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones faced a league-high 24.

Despite the pressure, Ryans came out of Week 1 confident in what his rookie quarterback showed on the field.

"I think from an offensive perspective, as you can see, we can move the ball," Ryans said. "I thought C.J. did a really good job of going through his progressions, putting the ball exactly where it needed to be. He did some really good things for us, and operationally, I think pre-snap, we can be better [at] just getting in and out of the huddle quicker [and] getting up to the line of scrimmage quicker...C.J. can play with the best of them. So, we just have to help him and speed that process up."

Houston gets another chance to speed up the process and protect its passer better as they welcome the Indianapolis Colts and their own rookie passer, Anthony Richardson.