Texans Not 'Making Excuses' As Injuries Lead To Second Consecutive Loss
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans spent the previous week monitoring Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil. He was questionable entering Sunday's contest against the Indianapolis Colts due to a knee injury. And an hour before the game, the Texans listed Tunsil as one of seven players inactive.
Tunsil was the latest player sidelined due to an injury. And without their starting left tackle, the Texans took to the field more short-handed than their season-opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
The outcome led to the Texans falling 31-20 to the Colts inside NRG Stadium. Although coach DeMeco Ryans did not want to place blame on the injuries, the number of wounded players sidelined has resulted in Houston's 0-2 start.
"We don't make excuses or mistakes about injuries," Ryans said. "If you're out there, you got to do your job. That's what we all get paid to do. We're professionals. You're out there, do your job. We would love to have all of our guys back, but it's something you deal with."
Ryans acknowledged that injuries create opportunities for players to step up to help win games.
With Tunsil out, Josh Jones started at left tackle while Kendrick Green took the helm at left guard. The results led to six sacks on rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
The production of the offensive line declined without the services of Tunsil. But Stroud departed his home debut proud of the fight his depleted offensive line displayed. The rookie quarterback finished the day completing 63.8 percent of his passes for 384 yards and two touchdowns.
He fought through his respective injury after entering the game as questionable due to a wounded shoulder. Stroud confirmed that he did play through pain in the loss to the Colts, but he credited his exceptional play to the offensive line.
"I appreciate each one of those guys," Stroud said. "Kendrick comes in, and he has only been here two weeks and is fighting his tale off. This is a new offense for him, and it is the same with George [Fant]. Shaq [Mason] was our only starter.
"I appreciate that. I love those boys, and I'm going to keep fighting for them because they're fighting for me."
The "next man up mentality" led to rookie wide receiver Tank Dell establishing himself as one of three reliable targets in the passing game.
He finished the game with 72 yards on seven catches. At the 9:48 mark of the fourth quarter, the former University of Houston prospect caught his first career touchdown on a 23-yard reception.
The Texans featured Dell more in his second career game due to the absence of Noah Brown, who began the week on injured reserve due to a groin injury. Dell's fighting spirit helped the Texans cut into the Colts' 31-10 lead midway through the third quarter.
"I feel like, overall, there's light at the end of the tunnel,' Stroud said. "I think there's hope. I think we showed that today, 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."
Injuries have hampered the Texans since losing starting center Scott Quessenberry and right tackle Tytus Howard during training camp.
Houston played its second consecutive game without starting safeties Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward. Pitre missed his first career game due to a bruised lung. He sustained the injury during the Texans' Week 1 defeat to the Ravens.
Whether starters or reserves, Ryans holds each player to the same standards. Health would play a significant role in the Texans' success moving forward, but Ryans' top priority is to help his team overcome injuries by executing for a full 60 minutes.
"Injuries, it doesn't matter who's out there,' Ryans said. "We're going to call our offense. We're going to call our defense. We just expect everyone to be held accountable for doing their job."
